Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has emphasised that close collaboration with labour federations is integral to shaping equitable policies and ensuring effective enforcement.
Speaking at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) Annual Labour School in Pretoria on Wednesday, Meth said the union’s insights inform better law-making and governance and enhance the department’s capacity to monitor compliance.
“The role of unions in a free South Africa has been a testament to the indomitable will of the South African people. The growth, strength and influence of unions play an indispensable role in advocating for worker’ rights and ensuring that the economic gains of our country are shared amongst all its people.
“We recognise the transformative role that thought leadership and transversal coordination play in aligning policy, catalysing industrial expansion, and equipping our workforce for tomorrow’s opportunities,” Meth said.
She said NEDLAC, which comprises members from government, business, labour and civil society, remains the country’s statutory social dialogue forum and was essential for forging a balanced consensus on labour and socio-economic legislation.
“We will continue to defend and elevate NEDLAC’s role, ensuring that government departments comply with the requirement to table all labour-related Bills there.
“It is also vital that Parliament allows NEDLAC engagements to unfold thoroughly before finalising legislative processes, preserving the spirit of inclusive policymaking that underpins South Africa’s democracy,” she said.
Meth spoke about South Africa's high unemployment rate, especially youth unemployment, which stood at 45.5 % as of the third quarter of 2024.
She said that these alarming statistics are echoed in the nation’s communities, as poverty, social tension and lost economic potential.
The Minister said the crisis is even more acute among the youth, threatening to create a “lost generation”, whose long-term career prospects are permanently curtailed.
“We recognise that stand-alone programmes cannot solve this crisis. Effective solutions must align with overarching frameworks such as the National Development Plan (NDP), the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP), and the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024 – 2029.
“These plans point us to an inclusive path of structural transformation, where public and private resources unite to generate sustainable growth and reduce inequality,” she said.
Following the 2019 reconfiguration, the Department of Employment and Labour broadened its scope from primarily regulating labour standards to actively driving employment creation.
Meth explained that this expanded mandate rests on three core pillars, including harmonising and coordinating multi-departmental initiatives to maximise impact and Leveraging data-driven insights to shape policy decisions and anticipate future skill requirements.
The third pillar is streamlining job creation projects and fostering partnerships across government, the private sector, and civil society.
In October last year, Meth announced that the department would increase the number of labour inspectors from 2000 to 20,000.
The inspectors play an important role in ensuring that companies stick to the labour laws and help the department achieve its mandate.
The Minister further emphasised that it is crucial for government and organised labour to work together.
“We should, together with a renewed sense of urgency, work to tackle the interwoven challenges of unemployment, inequality and poverty. Our collective purpose must clearly ensure that every policy, programme, and partnership we pursue brings us closer to an economy where dignified, productive work is available to all,” she said.
Meth further extended her gratitude to organised labour for its vigilance and activism in always raising pertinent issues in different workplaces.
“Let us move forward together, government, labour, business, and civil society and strengthen the bonds of social partnership and ensuring that South Africa’s commitment to inclusive growth is not just an aspiration but a lived reality.
“The future of work summons us to respond with unity, innovation, and unyielding determination to improve the lives of all who call our country home,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
