Minister Nxesi hails workers as they celebrate their day and commits the department to do more to improve their lives

Banner of the National Department of Labour together with the South African flag

Tomorrow, the workers around the world are celebrating Mayday or Workers’ Day, as it is popularly known in South Africa.

While this day is one of the crowning achievements of the new dispensation, it “has also translated to meaningful changes to the lives of workers particularly when it comes to the conditions of service, the inclusion of vulnerable workers under the Minimum Wage agreement and efforts to ensure that workers are safe on the shop floor through inspections and other interventions,” according to the Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi.

Importantly, the Department has driven the legislative amendments and ensured that new laws are promulgated to ensure that struggles of the Haymarket workers – and other workers here and around the world – whose protests helped ensure the achievement of the many improvements to working conditions is honoured.

Twenty-seven years ago, there were 53 pieces of legislation governing the labour sector. These pieces of legislation differed from province to province, from homeland to homeland, from Bantustan to Bantustan.

“Over the years, in their place, we have put together four essential pieces of legislation, which range from the: Labour Relations Act, Basic Condition of Employment Act, Employment Equity Act and the Employment Services Act.

“There are other supporting pieces of legislation, which further give impetus, and support to a better life for all workers. This includes the Unemployment Insurance Act and the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act. The last two give real meaning to taking care of the workers in this country as they provide a critical social protection floor for those who find themselves in difficult position – whether through being jobless or injury or occupational diseases,” said Minister Nxesi

A testament to the lasting value of these pieces of legislation can be seen in the role that the UIF played during lockdown which was to support the whole economy of the country through the cash disbursement of some R60-billion to the hands of the workers through their employers. The contribution by the Department through the UIF was part of the government-wide basket of services to mitigate the worst effects of the lockdown and to avoid the crashing of the economy.

“It is the changes like those that we have effected and have shown not only resilience but have proved to be the game changers in how we have dealt with the worst effects of the pandemic.

“We have also tabled legislation which is now undergoing parliamentary processes to bring domestic workers under the fold of the Compensation Fund through the amendment of Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Disease Act. This is a significant step. What this means is that all the domestic workers will be covered and also as a result of the Constitutional Court ruling, this coverage is going to be retrospective to 1994.

“We are also mindful of the slow pace of transformation and to that extent, we are also giving teeth to the enforcement of the Employment Equity Act so that we can start to see real change to the face of the industry. The amendments are intended to move transformation forward by giving the minister the power to set targets in consultation with the economic sub-sectors,” Minister Nxesi said.

With regard to another piece of legislation that had been in the news lately, Minister Nxesi said studies have shown the positive impact of the Minimum Wage legislation for vulnerable industries like farming and other sectors where exploitation is rife.

Another envisaged win for workers is in the amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Bill on public comment for another 30 days. This bill proposes to empower workers to refuse to perform unsafe and dangerous work without fear of victimisation.

“All of these changes are a testament to the Government’s willingness to listen to all sides but particularly to the champion the cause of workers which is the very embodiment of Workers Day and which is an honour to those men and women who paid the ultimate prize fighting for the liberation and this country as well ensuring humane working conditions.

“Today we are celebrating these achievements. We are also making a commitment to work even harder to ensure that the jobs that workers already have are secured through interventions like Labour Activation Program as well as supporting industry in distress through Temporary Employees/Employers Relief Scheme.

“Both schemes are underwritten by the UIF which is a testament to prudent investment by the Fund. For us as a department, these supporting investments are evidence of our commitment to support and create employment,” the Minister said.

These interventions are in line with the Government’s efforts to mitigate high unemployment as a result of the pandemic as well as unemployment occasioned by the technical recession that the country has experienced.

“The President is leading from the front and through the Project Management Office in the Presidency, mass employment strategies are already being implemented in earnest,” said Minister Nxesi.

The changes are in line with the Freedom Charter which committed to ensuring that:

All who work shall be free to form trade unions, to elect their officers and to make wage agreements with their employers;

The state shall recognise the right and duty of all to work, and to draw full unemployment benefits;

Men and women of all races shall receive equal pay for equal work;

There shall be a forty-hour working week, a national minimum wage, paid annual leave, and sick leave for all workers, and maternity leave on full pay for all working mothers;

Miners, domestic workers, farm workers and civil servants shall have the same rights as all others who work;

Child labour, compound labour, the tot system and contract labour shall be abolished.

Media enquiries:

Sabelo Mali

Ministerial Spokesperson

082 729 5804

Musa Zondi

Acting Departmental Spokesperson

“Please continue adhering to the lockdown regulations. Wash hands or sanitise your hands regularly and wear your mask at all times.”

-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour