The Department of Employment and Labour Deputy Minister, Boitumelo Moloi, says the South African Constitution declares that the state must take reasonable legislative and other measures, to ensure that the decent work right is achieved, and all stakeholders have to join forces towards the achievement of the objective of health and safety as prescribed in the constitution.

The Deputy Minister, was today (07 November 2023), delivering the Department’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Conference keynote address in Durban.

The OHS Conference, which started today, 07 November 2023, is held under the thematic: “Collaboration and Strategic Approach to enhance decent work in an evolving World of Work”. This theme is apt since it puts emphasis on partnerships and inclusivity.

To attest the need to enhance decent work, the International Labour Organization (ILO), estimates that 2.78 million people die annually due to work related accidents or diseases and about 313 Million people are involved in non-fatal occupational accidents causing serious injuries and absences from work. 

“Section 24 of the South African Constitution states that: ‘Everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing’. It further asserts that the state must take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources to ensure that this Right is achieved.

“It is important to note that although the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993, predates South Africa’s democratic dispensation and the Constitution of the Republic, it does respond to the above stated right,” said Moloi.

The Deputy Minister added that, “As South Africa is committed to the decent work agenda and equally obligated to see to it that citizens have a decent future in the world of work, all stakeholders have to join forces towards the achievement of the objective of health and safety as prescribed in our constitution”.

Despite the progressive development of OHS legislation, Moloi said, South Africa is still grappling with occupational accidents, injuries, ill health and occupational diseases.

“Although it is applaudable that all occupational accidents and injuries are mostly responded to promptly, we need to be mindful of more insidious killers in the form of occupational diseases as there is a long latency period. Often, the impact of such on the health of individuals and the economy, is often picked up when it is too late and the damage had been done,” she said.

The Deputy Minister said occupational diseases and accidents usually result in significant costs to the employers, employees and economies.

And she further said it is estimated that the annual direct and indirect costs resulting from occupational diseases and accidents, is approximately four per cent of the global gross domestic product.

“Investing in a sound health and safety system bodes well for all concerned. The ILO estimates are that 2.78 million people die annually due to work related accidents or diseases. About 313 Million people are involved in non-fatal occupational accidents causing serious injuries and absences from work.

On a daily basis, these statistics translate to approximately 6,400 people losing their lives from occupational accidents or diseases and 860,000 people getting injured on the job”. 

As poor occupational health and safety practices affect the economy, countries such as South Africa need to ensure that decent work principles, as prescribed by the International Labour Organization, are adhered to, said the Deputy Minister. 

“This requires all of us to work together. As South Africans we have a rich history of coming together to overcome any kind of adversity and soar high like eagles. We can honestly do better in the space of Health and Safety.

The attainment of workplaces that are free of occupational health and safety hazards; is one of the critical elements of Decent Work. If the Decent work agenda is not achieved, we would be most unlikely to attain the NDP Agenda: 2030; viz: ‘Decent Employment through Inclusive Economic Growth’”.

The International Labour Organisation rightfully added safety and health as the Fifth principle to the fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

The conference is scheduled to continue as follows:

Dates: 07 to 09 November 2023

Time: 8h00 to 17h00

Venue: Coastlands on the Ridge, 315 – 319 Peter Mokaba Ridge, Musgrave, Durban in   KZN, South Africa.

Media is invited to attend and cover the conference.

RSVP: Nhlanhla Khumalo at 066 488 0265/ Nhlanhla.khumalo@labour.gov.za

Please Note: Transport shall be provided on request (first come, first served basis)

For media inquiries, kindly contact:

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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