Program Director
Member of Parliament, Honourable Sello Dithebe
The esteemed members of the Constituency Management Committee
Valuable partners from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and AUDA-NEPAD
Rand Mutual Assurance (REM) and Federated Employers Mutual Assurance (FEMA)
Representatives of BUSA
The Leadership of Labour Federations: COSATU, SAFTU, FEDUSA and NACTU
Senior officials of the Department, led by the Acting Director General, Ms Jacky Molisane
Representatives of Organized Labour and Organized Business
Chief Executive Officers and Presidents of professional bodies, Experts, academics and practitioners in OHS
Ladies and gentlemen
Good afternoon
We gather today at this beautiful city of Mangaung to celebrate a significant event - the International Day for Occupational Health and Safety, also referred to as the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. The day is celebrated annually on April 28th, but due to our country's calendar and several public holidays in April, we commemorate this international event today. We gather in solidarity with various international institutions and bodies in commemoration of this day, which shines the spotlight on the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases, placing decent working conditions at the core in accordance with the International Labour Organization (ILO) standards. This day is an emotional reminder of social injustices faced by millions of workers globally who encounter hazardous working environments, which lead to injuries and, in the most fatalities! We are all aware that South Africa's workers are not spared from such.
One of the most transformative achievements of the Government over the past thirty years has been the establishment of progressive labour laws that have extensively strengthened workers' rights and improved working conditions in the workplace. However, be that as it may, sadly, the high levels of the uncooperative attitude towards authority or discipline in the workplace remain stubbornly high. It is therefore important for us to rally behind initiatives that are designed to put the spotlight on issues of health and safety in workplaces.
For this year's OHS day, the ILO has assigned the theme "Revolutionizing health and safety: the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digitalization at work". This theme examines the impact of new technologies, such as AI, robots, and virtual reality, on worker health and safety.
In October 2024, my department, together with our social partners, launched the Occupational Health and Safety Accord as a joint commitment to strengthen collaborative efforts in protecting the economy through preventing occupational injuries and diseases as part of ensuring Decent Work.
It is also important to highlight that I have declared that we as the DEL will dedicate a whole month to Occupational Health and Safety , aimed at raising much-needed awareness on this critical subject. A month where a series of activities will take place, including:
These activities are designed to promote a culture of safety and ensure compliance with health and safety standards nationwide
As I reflect on the theme, digitalization, robots, use of AI and digital platforms in the workplace, I can't ignore the obvious benefits in moving this direction. These include increased efficiency through task automation, enhanced decision-making via real-time data and analytics, greater flexibility with remote work options, and new opportunities for innovation, growth, and global talent access.
One of the key fundamentals of Occupational Health and Safety is the ability of workplaces to identify health and safety hazards and mitigate their occurrence. The legal framework of the Department provides some basis and guidelines for doing this work. There is certainly no replacement for a viable Health and Safety management system. As the workplaces evolve, health and safety measures should not be relegated to secondary positions, they should occupy primary spots.
Inevitably, the usage of digital platforms presents some novel health concerns to be mindful of, such as the following:
There are mental health issues linked to increased use of digitisation. These are often overlooked but can affect the way of life in various ways, such as:
Of course, there are other obscure consequences of digitalisation. For instance, excessive use of digital platforms may lead to addiction and dependency. This may be characterised by compulsive behaviour, neglect of responsibilities, and negative impacts on relationships and daily life. It is imperative for workplaces to adapt their risk assessments to be responsive to the health and safety matters that result from increased dependency on digitalisation in affected sectors. Such strategies should, among others, attempt to set boundaries and put limits on digital platform use to maintain a healthy balance between online and offline life.
Over the years, my department has identified high-risk and problematic sectors to assist in minimising high levels of noncompliance with employment laws. As a matter of interest, the Agriculture Sector has been identified as one such sector.
Let's look at the Agricultural sector through the lens of developments in digitalisation and the use of AI in the sector. This sector is undergoing a significant transformation with the integration of Artificial Intelligence, whose technologies are being used to improve crop yields, reduce waste, and enhance sustainability.
Key areas of application include the utilisation of AI-powered drones and satellite imaging, enabling farmers to monitor crop health, detect issues, and apply targeted interventions.
As the global population continues to grow, AI-powered farming will play a critical role in ensuring food security and meeting the demands of a rapidly changing world.
The administrative data of the department has revealed the following trends, amongst others, in the Agricultural Sector:
It is important to reflect on the above realities in the context of the potential increase in the utilisation and reliance on digitisation. What would all these developments mean, and what impact would they have on the ordinary worker? For the sake of this address, I have singled out the Agricultural sector, however, all the other sectors aren't spared from the effects of AI.
Naturally, having highlighted the beauty of the digital platform, we must be vigilant in the identification of new workplace hazards. The workers and their well-being need to be at the centre of our strategies. One such hazard is workplace cyberbullying.
The workplace cyberbullying impacts more than just the targeted individual victim, and its effects can impact the entire workplace, or even the whole organization, by increasing anxiety and panic in the minds of the workers. This inflicts pain on the employees by putting employees under distress, which may result in various health-related illnesses. The outcome of this may be increased absenteeism rates, the total of which may be negative to the outlook of the economy.
The workforce may seep into a mode of being demotivated and may disengage from their work. This is likely to affect productivity levels and affect the entire business and indirectly increases the cost of the organisation through frequent recruitment and poor retention of talent.
We must adjust the approach to decent work to focus on digital or platform work. Decent work in the platform economy aims to ensure that digital platform workers enjoy fair wages, safe working conditions, and the rights to freedom of expression and organization. It also involves social protection, personal development, and equality of opportunity for all. The International Labour Organization defines decent work as productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security, and human dignity.
I implore us to reflect on the following critical question: Is there a positive correlation between the increased utilisation of AI and job losses in South Africa?
The impact of AI on job loss and or job transformation is a complex debate informed by various schools of thought. Recent research depicts that AI and digitalisation are impacting South Africa's job market, with some roles facing displacement due to automation. On the other hand, AI is also creating new jobs, especially in technology-driven industries. We should concede that there's a risk of increased unemployment and social upheaval if the workforce isn't adequately prepared to deal with this phenomenon through reskilling and upskilling.
AI and automation are predicted to impact various sectors, including banking, retail, customer service, and manufacturing. Jobs involving routine tasks, data processing, and basic administrative work are particularly vulnerable.
The McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) recently published a report on “Generative AI and the Future of Work in America", estimating that roughly 30% of the world's jobs will be eliminated due to automation by 2030, including through AI adoption affecting mostly the customer services sector, office support, and manufacturing & logistics. Further recommending that businesses and policymakers should invest more in digital education, reskilling of workers and supporting labour market transitions. The findings of this study are further collaborated by others such as that of the World Economic Forum (WEF) wherein, it is has predicted that 85 million jobs will be lost to AI and robotics by 2025, while 97 million new roles will be created in areas like AI development, data science, and human-AI collaboration. The Goldman Sachs report also estimates that about 300 million jobs globally could be automated by AI by the end of this year. This, to an extent, depicts that, though the correlation between AI and job losses continues to evolve, it is clear that AI will not replace all jobs, but will surely reshape the workforce, perhaps in a disruptive transition.
Esteemed guests, through our social partnership, we must protect our workforce in this new environment as we have done in the past. As a Country, we have proven that we can collectively overcome significant obstacles – we need to do so again! Let us ensure we realise the benefits that AI, digitalisation and robotics have to offer and adapt to the new possibilities this phenomenon brings to how we know the world of work to be!
Ladies and Gentlemen, as indicated before, the inherent levels of non-compliance on health and safety issues in the workplace are still high and costly, requiring us to do more.
As we embrace the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, artificial intelligence is not just changing the way we work—it's revolutionizing how we protect workers on the ground. In the field of occupational health and safety, AI is fast becoming a powerful ally, helping us to save lives, reduce injuries, and prevent workplace tragedies before they happen.
But technology alone isn't enough. It must be matched with strong enforcement, robust systems, and a skilled human workforce committed to upholding safety standards. That is why the Department of Employment and Labour has launched Project 20 000—a bold and strategic initiative aimed at bolstering the capacity of the Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) directorate. This project will see the recruitment and training of 20,000 additional inspectors across the country, ensuring that businesses—large and small—are being inspected at appropriate and regular intervals.
Our goal is clear: to close the compliance gap and ensure that all workplaces in South Africa, from factories to farms, from corporate offices to construction sites, meet the legal health and safety standards required by law. This project is not about policing for punishment—it is about creating a culture of prevention and support, where businesses are empowered with knowledge and workers are protected, while ensuring the nation moves forward with dignity and accountability. Here is where AI and Project 20,000 intersect powerfully. With the use of AI tools, such as predictive analytics and smart reporting systems, inspectors can now be more strategic in identifying high-risk industries, regions, or repeat offenders. AI doesn't replace the inspector—it enhances their reach, their precision, and their impact.
Imagine an inspection system where data from previous incidents, environmental risks, or sectoral trends can inform where inspectors are deployed next. It means smarter enforcement, better resource allocation, and ultimately, safer workplaces across the board.
Together, with AI as our tool and Project 20 000 as our engine, we are building a future where occupational health and safety is not a luxury or a tick-box exercise—it is a national standard, rooted in justice, guided by innovation, and enforced with the full strength of the law.
Let us continue to lead with purpose, embracing technology not just for efficiency, but for the well-being of every worker in South Africa. Because in every workplace, safety must come first—and with the right tools and the right people, it always will.
I thank you.
© 2019 - The South African Department of Employment & Labour
