The Department of Employment and Labour is to place the spotlight on the psychosocial working environment when it observes the 2026 World Day for Safety and Health. 

Through the Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) branch, the Department, will commemorate the World Day for Safety and Health event as part of advocacy initiatives to regularly highlight the plight of the injured and diseased workers, as well as those who have fallen because of exposure to hazardous conditions.

Department of Employment and Labour Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Chief Inspector, Milly Ruiters, said that it is a day for all social partners to do an introspection. Ruiters said the gathering will bring together 500 delegates, including workers, employers, and inspectors nationally.

“We are hosting this day to put the spotlight on OHS in line with International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions," she said.

World Day for Safety and Health was initiated in 2003 by the United Nations (UN) agency, the International Labour Organization (ILO), to promote and discuss the importance of safe and healthy work environments globally.

The 2026 World Day for Safety and Health theme is: “Good psychosocial working environments: A pathway to thriving workers and strong organization". The International Labour Organization observes the World Day for Safety and Health at Work (OSH Day) on 28 April 2026.

The 2026 commemoration is expected to be addressed by Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth, Department of Employment and Labour Inspector General Aggy Moiloa, Employment and Labour Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya, Department's Acting Director General Jacky Molisane, and Department's OHS Chief Inspector Milly Ruiters.

There will also be speakers from the ILO, senior Departmental officials, Business Unity South Africa, and the country's major labour federations such as Fedusa, Nactu, Saftu, and Cosatu.

Media is invited to attend the commemoration.

Event: World Day for Health and Safety

Where: The Arena, Emnotweni Tsogo Sun (Emnotweni Casino), Eastern Blvd, Riverside Park, Mbombela

When: 24 April 2026

Time: 08:00 – 15:00

For media RSVP's, kindly contact: Hlanganisa Mbatha at Hlanganisa.Mbatha@labour.gov.za  /082 757 5265.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Teboho Thejane

Departmental Spokesperson

082 697 0694/ teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za

-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

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