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Employment and Labour Minister T.W Nxesi has summarised the Department's priorities in 2020/21 to include the configuration of the organisation; meaningful job creation and placement of work seekers; prioritising the designated groups; greater operational efficiencies; fighting corruption and social dialogue.

The Minister was delivering the opening address during the two-day Department's Executive Committee meeting (DEXCOM) that started today. The meeting is held at Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg.

He said the recent State of Nation Address (Sona) reminded the Department that 2020 was a make or break year for the organisation.

“This is a decisive moment in our history. The meeting today will define where we are going," he emphasised.

Minister Nxesi said the focus must be on inclusive growth.

He said: “This, therefore, requires of the organisation to ask what needs to be done? What are we doing to build the capable State? How do we navigate the digital economy and 4IR against the backdrop of constrained energy supply and slowing of economic growth?

The Minister took time to announce that the reconfiguration from Department of Labour into Department of Employment and Labour would unfold in two phases. He said the first phase currently underway will focus on the utilisation of the resources of the Department and its entities to increase the impact on job creation and strengthen National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) to promote social dialogue and help build investor confidence.

“Of importance, is how do we strengthen social dialogue, he said, arguing that South Africa has a fair labour legislation regime.

The phase two of the reconfiguration, which he said will be a long-term process and requires resources, will include the coordination of all government efforts to create and preserve jobs and reduce unemployment.

“This is a long-term process requiring resources and time. It will be heightened by government and private sector involvement to tackle the scourge of unemployment.

He implored the Department to finalise the National Employment Policy, which he said was one of deliverables in terms of his performance agreement outputs.

Fighting gender-based violence should be a priority of the Department. He said the Department has a crucial role to play in the elimination of economic conditions that give rise to gender-based violence, especially in the workplace.

Citing the International Labour Organisation conventions Minister Nxesi, said violence and harassment in the world of work constitute a crime against humanity. He said gender-based violence was a threat to equal opportunities and an antithesis to decent work objectives. The question is 'are we doing enough to create awareness among the employees of their rights?'

On the information communication and technology, he said the message was clear that 'this area must improve'.

He concluded with harsh words against corruption, saying when taps are closing the drums of noise rise.

“We need more arrests to deal with corruption," he said.

For enquiries:

Teboho Thejane

Departmental Spokesperson

082 697 0694

Teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za

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Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

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