The restaurant industry is notoriously difficult. Owners face low profit margins and a high risk of failure, while employees work long hours for little pay or no pay at all.
Servers, particularly waiters and waitresses, earn some of the lowest wages in the labour force even though the job is both physically and mentally demanding.
Waiting tables can be a burdensome way of life due to the duties, working conditions and low pay.
This has been evident with the Babel Restaurant saga.
Emotions ran high among South Africans this week following a video by Mihlali Nobavu, a former employee at the Menlyn-based restaurant.
In the viral video, Nobavu detailed her work experience at the restaurant. She said she was hired without a formal contract, forced to pay for her own uniform and subjected to harsh working conditions.
Nobavu revealed that restaurant employees had no basic salary and only earned tips. In addition, they were required to pay a daily non-refundable R200 breakage fee, purchase their own equipment, and were fined to cover the cost of broken cutlery.
She also revealed that she had to work long hours (from 1pm to 2am) without a break while she had to share the little tips she received with her runner.
@molly_bave Babel needs to start treating its employees like humans !! Part two #fypシ゚ #SAMA28 #babel #menlynmall #mistreatment #viral_video ♬ original sound - molly
Nobavu’s video sparked a greater conversation on social media about exploitation in the hospitality industry.
Workers and ex-workers even shared their own experiences of working in the industry.
Aphelele Moesha Madikizela wrote: “Eighty percent of restaurants do this, especially nightclubs. Workers experience the same treatment. There is no basic salary, you have to pay for you to work there.
“I left one of the clubs around Sunnyside because the fines were ridiculous. I can’t pay R400 just because someone didn’t clean his or her table. Everyone gets fined, how? Waitresses go through a lot. I’m glad this lady spoke. May God protect her.”
Russian Malawi wrote: “I worked at Moloko. It’s the same owner and the same management. I remember I worked and was not paid for three months until I decided to quit. Ngapha (on the side), they have high standards that we must keep up.”
Danielle Reid wrote: “Wow, just wow. I've been working in the hotel industry for a long time and not once have I bought a uniform and shoes myself. This is utterly disgusting.”
Khaohelo Kevin Mokoena wrote: “I commended the girl for her bravery. I work at a restaurant and I relate so much to her story. Whenever you speak up about being exploited you are told that if you don’t like the conditions then just leave.
“With so much unemployment out there, who can just leave to stay at home?
“To make matters worse I signed a contract saying that I would take all my tips at the end of the shift but now they take 40% from my card tips. Mind you, tips are not compulsory and customers don’t always tip 10%.”
Dear Mihlali Nobavu, we are thankful for your bravery as SA🇿🇦
— keolebile Mmoke🇿🇦💐💕🥑 ☕ rooibos girl❣ (@Keolebile) September 19, 2024
You played such a vital role in exposing Babel 🤧 restaurant.
Government turned a blind eye for long knowingly how the industry oppressed its own people, doesn't comply with labour and immigration laws
Thank you https://t.co/Nf8l4gnVHM pic.twitter.com/kUncT40Aq9
Speaking on CNBC Africa on Wednesday, September 18, the chief executive officer of the Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA), Wendy Alberts, said it is very concerning when an issue like this makes headline news and it needs to be unpacked through conversations with the right bodies.
Alberts said it is also important when they unpack these issues and when we have proper conversations that they separate the issues and not consolidate them into one conversation.
“It is unacceptable on any level that any company in South Africa whose bound by the laws to own a company are broken and this needs to be addressed in a way that needs to be addressed.
And in the very many contraventions that have been highlighted, I think we need to unpack those to remain compliant for the rest of the industry. One must not take for granted that this is the view of the entire industry.”
“Over the last years, we've been blitzed by the Department of Labour, Home Affairs and there’s always this conversation going on about foreign nationals in the industry, non-compliance, exploitation, etc.
“We need to get this conversation to head and we need to invite the correct parties around the table to bring us statistics.
“We can certainly have these open conversations with Home Affairs, Immigration, the Department of Labour, and the bargaining council as to why there is this constant conversation about non-compliance in our industry.
“And for any company, whether in our industry or not, that is not following the laws to run a company they certainly need to be taken to task,” she noted.
Attempts to reach Babel management for comment on the number listed on their website received no response.