SA Recommits to Workers’ Rights and Youth Employment During Workers’ Month

“May Day is a profound reminder of the hard-fought battles for labour rights, and the collective power of social dialogue,” the statement said.

South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting workers' rights, strengthening labour protections and tackling unemployment as the country commemorates Workers' Month and reflects on the enduring significance of May Day in the nation's democratic journey.

Government says Workers' Month remains an important opportunity to honour the sacrifices made by generations of workers and labour activists who fought for dignity, equality, fair labour practices and social justice.

"May Day is a profound reminder of the hard-fought battles for labour rights, and the collective power of social dialogue," the statement said.

The Department of Employment and Labour emphasised that workers across all sectors — from mines and factories to agriculture and technology — continue to form the backbone of South Africa's economy and democracy.

Workers' Rights Linked to Democratic Transformation

The department highlighted that South Africa's democratic transition in 1994 brought major changes to the public service and labour environment.

A single, non-racial public service system was established to serve all citizens equally under constitutional principles of fairness, dignity and equality.

Officials acknowledged the role played by public servants and workers who participated in the broader struggle against apartheid and helped lay the foundation for a democratic labour system.

Government Focuses on Youth Employment Crisis

The Department of Employment and Labour stressed that unemployment, particularly among young people, remains one of the greatest threats to human dignity and social stability in South Africa.

To address this challenge, government has declared 2026 as:

"The Year of Putting Young South Africans to Work, in Honour of the 1976 Youth and Commemoration of the Youth Uprising Golden Jubilee."

Officials said Labour Activation Programmes (LAPs) are increasingly being used as practical tools to create employment opportunities and improve skills development.

The department noted that billions of rand are being strategically invested to:

• Support skills development;

• Improve employability;

• Fund training-to-placement programmes;

• Assist young entrepreneurs, and

• Help unemployed citizens enter the mainstream economy.

Investment in Human Capital and Skills Development

Government said the focus is not merely on spending public funds but on investing in human capital capable of responding to the demands of a changing economy.

The department explained that the interventions are designed to close the gap between existing workforce skills and modern labour market requirements.

These programmes aim to ensure that vulnerable groups, especially youth, are not excluded from future economic opportunities.

UIF and Compensation Fund Being Modernised

The Department of Employment and Labour also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the country's social security safety net through the:

• Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), and

• Compensation Fund.

The department described these institutions as critical protections for workers facing job losses, workplace injuries and other unforeseen circumstances.

Government said it is modernising these systems to make them:

• More accessible;

• More efficient, and

• More responsive to vulnerable workers and beneficiaries.

Enforcement of Minimum Wage and Workplace Safety

The department stressed that it remains vigilant in enforcing:

• The National Minimum Wage, and

• Occupational health and safety standards.

Officials argued that safe and fairly compensated workers contribute directly to productivity and economic growth.

"A worker who is safe and fairly compensated is a productive worker, and a productive workforce is the only path to a prosperous South Africa," the department stated.

New Labour Legislation Introduced

As part of broader labour market reforms, the Ministry of Employment and Labour has tabled several important legislative measures before Parliament.

These include:

• The Employment Services Amendment Bill (ESAB);

• The National Labour Migration Policy (NLMP), and

• Labour Law Amendment Bills currently under public consultation.

Employment Services Amendment Bill

The Employment Services Amendment Bill aims to modernise labour market regulation and improve employment opportunities for South African citizens.

The Bill seeks to amend the Employment Services Act of 2014 and focuses particularly on regulating the employment of foreign nationals in sectors with high levels of lower-skilled labour.

Government said the legislation has already been approved by Cabinet and submitted to Parliament for further processing.

National Labour Migration Policy

The National Labour Migration Policy is closely linked to the ESAB and provides the broader policy framework for regulating foreign labour in South Africa.

Together, the two frameworks seek to:

• Introduce quotas;

• Regulate sector participation, and

• Manage the employment of foreign nationals more effectively.

Cabinet has also approved the National Labour Migration Policy.

Labour Law Amendments to Strengthen Worker Protections

Government has additionally published the Labour Laws Amendment Bill, 2025 and the Labour Relations Amendment Bill, 2025 for public consultation.

The proposed reforms aim to:

• Improve job security;

• Strengthen labour protections;

• Promote workplace fairness, and

• Extend rights to vulnerable and previously excluded workers.

Officials said the reforms also seek to improve enforcement mechanisms so workers can more effectively access the protections guaranteed under labour laws.

Shared Parental Leave System Proposed

One of the major proposed reforms involves replacing the fragmented maternity and parental leave system with a shared parental leave framework.

Under the proposed model:

• A single employed parent would receive four months of parental leave;

• Two employed parents would share four months and ten days of leave;

• Leave arrangements could be agreed upon jointly or divided equally if no agreement exists, and

• Priority would be given to the birthing mother.

Government said the reform is intended to create a more equitable and modern parental support system.

Focus on Vulnerable Workers

The department identified workers in sectors such as:

• Retail;

• Security, and

• Hospitality

as among the most vulnerable due to irregular working hours, unstable income and last-minute work cancellations.

Government reiterated its commitment to building a fair, modern and inclusive labour market that protects the dignity and rights of all workers.

10 000 Labour Inspectors to Strengthen Enforcement

The department also welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent announcement that 10 000 labour inspectors will be deployed to strengthen enforcement of labour legislation.

The initiative, announced during the State of the Nation Address, is expected to:

• Improve compliance monitoring;

• Protect vulnerable workers;

• Enforce fair labour practices, and

• Strengthen workplace inspections across sectors.

The inspectors will work alongside the Project 20 000 inspector interns programme.

Government believes the initiative will improve labour market stability and fairness.

Call for Renewed Social Compact

As South Africa commemorates Workers' Month, government called on organised labour, businesses and civil society to work together to strengthen the country's labour market and economic future.

Quoting former President Nelson Mandela's 1994 inauguration speech, the department emphasised the importance of collective national effort:

"We know it well that none of us acting alone can achieve success. We must, therefore, act together as a united people, for national reconciliation, for nation building, for the birth of a new world."

The statement concluded by paying tribute to South African workers and recognising their role in building the country's future.

"To the workers of South Africa: your labour is the architect of our future. We salute your contribution to this great nation."