Acting Deputy Director-General for Labour Policy & Industrial Relations, Mr Sipho Ndebele, representing Employment and Labour Minister, Nomakhosazana Meth, has reaffirmed government's commitment to strengthening the protection of workers in South Africa's informal economy, saying labour rights are fundamentally human rights that must be protected through stronger institutions, social dialogue and coordinated action.

Addressing the National Policy Dialogue on Strengthening the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights of Workers in the Informal Economy in Pretoria on Tuesday, 07 July 2026, Mr Ndebele said millions of South Africans rely on informal work as a means of survival, making the sector an essential part of the country's economy. However, many workers, particularly domestic and farm workers, continue to face insecure employment, unsafe working conditions, limited access to social protection and barriers to enforcing their rights.

Mr Ndebele said these challenges go beyond labour market concerns and constitute human rights issues that require a united national response. He stressed that while government remains committed to strengthening labour inspection and enforcement, lasting progress will require meaningful partnerships between government, organised labour, employers, civil society, international organisations and informal economy workers themselves.

He reaffirmed government commitment to advancing decent work through the International Labour Organization Recommendation 204 on the Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy, noting that the country played a leading role in its adoption. "Workers in the informal economy are workers. They contribute to our economy, support their families and communities, and deserve the same dignity, protection and opportunities afforded to every other worker," he said.

Mr Ndebele also highlighted government's ongoing efforts to improve workplace compliance, including the recruitment of an additional 10,000 labour inspectors announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the 2026 State of the Nation Address. He said the initiative builds on the Department of Employment and Labour's inspection programme, which conducted more than 47,000 workplace inspections during the previous financial year to protect workers and improve compliance with labour legislation.

He said the policy dialogue builds on the work of South Africa's Recommendation 204 National Task Team and consultations undertaken by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights with domestic and farm workers, providing an opportunity to translate recommendations into practical action.

Concluding his address, Mr Ndebele said South Africa's challenge is not whether it has an informal economy, but how it chooses to treat it.

"If we succeed, this dialogue will do more than strengthen labour protections. It will strengthen our social contract by ensuring economic necessity never becomes a barrier to human dignity. We must always remember that labour rights are human rights," he said.

For media inquiries, 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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