Chairperson,

Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour: Ms Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala 

KZN Premier: Mr. Thamsanqa Ntuli

Deputy Executive Mayor of EThekwini: Ms. Zandile Myeni

DEL Acting Director General: Ms Jacqueline Mabohlale

Director General: Office of the Premier - Dr Nonhlanhla Mkhize

eThekwini City Manager: Ms Kim Makathini

Honourable Delegates from the Continent and the World,

Distinguished Guests,

Good morning to you all! In isiZulu, we say Sanibonani!

Today, we gather in one of the most beautiful coastal cities of South Africa, EThekwini, which lies on the Indian Ocean side of the country. Hence, it has a sub-tropical warm weather all year round, with beautiful beaches and diverse marine life attracting tourists from all over the world, and let alone its fame as an international surfing destination. I am hopeful that our guests will find time to enjoy the culture and hospitality of this vibrant city!

It is with great honour that I address you today as we continue establishing the foundational building blocks necessary to advance our collective vision—one that is rooted in social justice, fairness and in eliminating global inequalities in labour markets. We convened in Gqeberha in February for the first Employment Working Group (EWG) meeting and once again, we are here today to continue the good work.

Let me extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to you all!

Our home is your home!

During this Second G20 Employment Working Group meeting, we will focus on two critical priorities, i.e addressing inequality and the declining labour income share, which have profound implications for living standards and advancing gender equality in the workforce.

The growing erosion of labour's share of national income poses a significant threat to broader economic resilience and inclusivity goals by widening wealth disparities, weakening the social fabric, and limiting upward mobility. Addressing this trend is crucial for global progress. In parallel, achieving true gender equality in the workforce is not just a matter of social justice but a fundamental driver of economic prosperity. By closing the gender gap in employment and wages, we can unlock untapped potential, foster innovation, and build a more equitable and sustainable labour market for all.

We find ourselves at a critical juncture, where the global landscape is marked by increasing disparities threatening the fundamental principles upon which just and dignified societies are built. Millions of workers worldwide remain mired in precarious employment conditions, receiving stagnant wages and experiencing shrinking opportunities for social mobility. Policies and initiatives that aim to alleviate poverty and economic despair encounter resistance from those who prioritise narrow economic interests over workers' inherent dignity and rights.

However, we must be clear that economic growth must not be evaluated solely through GDP metrics, trade balances or other numerical indicators. While such measures are important, they cannot be the only barometers of success. Genuine progress must be evident in our collective commitment to uplift the most vulnerable of our society. The real test of our achievements is ensuring that economic expansion leads to substantive social justice, employment figures correspond to quality jobs with decent pay, and that work provides financial stability, dignity, fulfilment and security.

At the heart of our deliberations is the immutable principle that labour is not a commodity. Workers are not disposable inputs in an economic calculus, but they are human beings with dreams, responsibilities, and the fundamental right to a decent life. A zero-sum international economic system prioritising profit over people is neither sustainable nor ethical. It is therefore imperative that we reject transactional approaches that undermine fairness, equity, and dignity.

As the G20 President, South Africa remains steadfast in upholding the values of solidarity, equality and sustainability.

These are not abstract ideals or rhetorical flourishes; they serve as the foundation upon which our policies, governance structures and international engagements are built. We categorically reject any notion that human suffering can be reduced to a mere footnote in pursuing political expediency or economic dominance.

Honourable Delegates,

A key priority for the Employment Working Group is ensuring that discussions about youth employment and women's economic empowerment remain at the forefront of the global labour agenda.

In this regard, the Nelson Mandela Bay Goal on Youth Employment is a bold and transformative commitment to reducing global youth unemployment by at least 5% by 2030. This is not merely an employment target; it represents an investment in the future of our societies. We must actively create quality jobs, foster skills development and champion youth-led innovation to ensure young people have a place in the evolving labour market.

Similarly, we remain steadfast in our advocacy for the Brisbane-EThekwini Target on Reducing the Gap between Men and Women in Labour Force Participation. Workplace equality is a moral imperative and an economic and social necessity.

With both the Antalya and Brisbane targets set to expire this year, we have a crucial opportunity to reaffirm and expand our commitments to closing disparities. We must ensure that women, particularly those in marginalised and vulnerable sectors, are fully integrated into the workforce and provided the same opportunities for advancement as their male counterparts.

We recognise that these proposals will not receive universal consensus. Some argue that the government's role in addressing labour market inequities should be minimal. However, we assert that the cost of inaction far exceeds the cost of intervention. When governments fail to act, inequality deepens, social unrest festers, and generations are condemned to economic stagnation and despair. We refuse to accept such an outcome.

In this regard, we must also express our disillusionment with the drastic developments occurring on the trade front. These shifts threaten to become the primary drivers of economic stagnation and job losses, particularly in developing nations. These changes will erode economic resilience and dismantle employment opportunities for millions. This means that like-minded G20 countries must rise to the occasion and forge resilient labour market policies that protect jobs, safeguard economic stability, and ensure that our economies remain viable despite mounting global uncertainties.

South Africa stands firm and shall not waver in pursuing fairness, inclusion and social justice. We will continue to advocate for decent work, robust labour protections and equitable economic opportunities for all. We will resist any effort, whether domestic or international, that seeks to undermine our sovereignty, our people's dignity and the fundamental rights of workers.

As we embark on this session, let us remain mindful that our deliberations have profound real-world implications. The decisions we make today will shape the future of work for millions of people across the globe. Our efforts must not be confined to policy frameworks alone, but must translate into tangible, measurable improvements in people's lives.

To achieve this, we must adopt a multifaceted approach that integrates social protection, universal labour rights, and sustainable economic policies. No country, worker, or community should be left behind. We must fortify international cooperation and ensure that our policies foster shared prosperity rather than exacerbate disparities. With the looming global economic slowdown due to fracturing multilateralism and resurging nationalisms, our collaboration is critical to protecting different sectors, industries and jobs.

All this is happening while we try to make sense of simultaneous, rapid transformations brought about by technological advancements, climate change, global market shifts, and ever-changing geopolitical dynamics, which are reshaping the world of work at an unprecedented pace. While these changes introduce new opportunities, they also pose significant risks, particularly for those in informal and vulnerable employment sectors. As policymakers, we are responsible for ensuring these shifts promote inclusivity rather than deepen existing inequalities.

To this end, we must implement comprehensive reskilling and upskilling initiatives that equip workers with the competencies needed for future jobs. Moreover, we must reinforce social safety nets to protect those at risk of displacement and ensure no one is left behind.

Finally, let us not forget that the path toward inclusive and decent work is not solitary. It requires collective action at the national, regional, and global levels. Through this collaboration, we can genuinely dismantle the structures of inequality and build a fair, just and prosperous future for all.

As we move closer to preparing the ministerial declaration, it would be remiss of us not to thank all G20 countries for their support. We also recognise the invited countries, workers and employers' dedication to enriching the discussions. We further appreciate international organisations for their technical expertise and for holding our hands throughout as we navigate the complex global labour market landscape.

We proudly recognise the participation of academics from UKZN, who responded enthusiastically to our invitation and will contribute to this meeting with their presentations. We gratefully acknowledge the Empowerment of Women Working Group's deliberations and Sherpa's insights on the Task Force for Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment and Reduced Inequality.

We further recognise the synergistic collaboration between the respective chairs of these working groups, namely the Department of Employment and Labour and the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, in shaping the discussions on Men-Women (Gender) Equality in the Workforce (Priority 2), notably their co-hosted roundtable.

I wish this working group successful deliberations over the coming days!

I thank you.

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