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Following South African Government appearance before the Committee on Application of Standards (CAS) on the 4th of June 2026, in Geneva.

The South African Government has on (10 June 2026) welcomed the Committee's conclusions on the implementation of Convention No. 111 at the International Labour Conference plenary (ILC).

The matter before the Committee concerned the application of the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111), which South Africa ratified in March 1997. 

The Committee had previously examined South Africa's compliance with the Convention, focusing on the country's legislative and policy framework for eliminating discrimination in employment and occupation, including the Employment Equity Act, 1998, and the recent Employment Equity Amendment Act, 2022, which introduced five-year sectoral numerical targets to accelerate transformation in the labour market.

South Africa received a broad backing from the ILO member countries and workers group, highlighting international recognition of South Africa's ongoing efforts to address workplace inequalities and promote employment equity.

In her statement, Minister Meth welcomed the Committee's Conclusions on the 10th of June 2026, which recognised both the historical context of deep and persistent inequalities in South Africa's labour market and the comprehensive legislative and institutional framework the country has adopted to promote equality in employment and occupation.

The Minister did not shy away from the persistent disparities that remain in practice. She candidly recognised the slow pace of transformation, the racialised and gendered hierarchies at the top and in senior management, and the stagnant labour participation rate among persons with disabilities. She described these challenges as precisely why the Government strengthened its legislative framework through the Employment Equity Amendment Act, 2022, and its sectoral targets.

“The Government does not shy away from this reality," Minister Meth stated. “These are challenges we confront daily, and they are precisely why we have strengthened our legislative framework."

Minister Meth confirmed South Africa's acceptance of the Committee's invitations and calls, including the submission of a detailed report to the ILO Committee of Experts by 1 September 2026. 

She committed to providing updated, disaggregated statistical information on progress towards achieving equity of opportunity and treatment, as well as detailed data on the implementation of section 53 of the Employment Equity Act on compliance certificates. On sectoral numerical employment equity targets, the Minister undertook to strengthen and deepen consultative processes with the most representative employers' and workers' organisations before the next round of target-setting.

Concluding her remarks, Minister Meth said: “The Government's commitment to the objectives of Convention No. 111 is unwavering. We will continue to pursue the realisation of substantive equality in employment and occupation – not only because it is our international obligation, but also because it is our constitutional and moral imperative as a democratic South Africa."

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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