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Programme Director: Hon NJ Nkwanyana- Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Participation and petitions

Honourable Speaker of the of the Legislature: Hon NN Boyce

Chief whip: Hon MB Gwala Premier of KZN: Hon AT Ntuli Members of the Executive Council

Members of the Provincial Legislature All Senior Government officials

Federations representatives present, COSATU, SAFTU, FEDUSA, NACTU

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

I greet you all in the spirit of solidarity that has always defined the labour movement in our province.

It is an honour to stand before this house and address the 2026 Workers Parliament that takes place at a significant period in our history where we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution; the 50th golden jubilee commemoration of the 1976 youth uprising and the 70th commemoration of the anti-pass campaign. It gives us an opportunity to honestly reflect on the journey that we have travelled as a country and a workers i.e. the wins , the gains and the areas of further strengthening and focus as we move forward.

KwaZulu-Natal is not merely a venue for today's discussion; it is at the very heart of South Africa's labour history.

This province witnessed some of the earliest organised labour struggles, and its workers have played a pivotal role in building our nation's industrial and economic foundations. From the cane fields of the North Coast to the factories of Pinetown and New Germany, and from the ports of Durban to communities across our province, workers have been the driving force behind our growth and development.

Yet despite this proud legacy, many workers in KwaZulu-Natal continue to face unemployment, inequality, insecure work, and exploitation. These realities remind us why gatherings such as this Workers' Parliament remain essential.

KwaZulu-Natal has the second-largest labour force in South Africa, with approximately 3.8 million economically active people. However, unemployment remains unacceptably high, particularly among young

people. In several districts, youth unemployment exceeds 60 percent. Furthermore, more than one million workers operate within the informal economy, often without the protection and benefits afforded by labour legislation.

As government, we remain committed to addressing these challenges through strong labour regulation, employment creation initiatives, and social protection programmes.

The foundation of our work is Section 23 of the Constitution, which guarantees every worker the right to fair labour practices. This constitutional right is implemented through key labour legislation,

including the Labour Relations Act, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the Employment Equity Act, and the National Minimum Wage Act.

These laws safeguard workers' rights, promote fair treatment in the workplace, combat discrimination, and ensure that workers receive fair wages and decent working conditions. The Department of Employment and Labour remains vigilant in enforcing these protections and ensuring compliance across all sectors of the economy.

However, regulation alone cannot solve unemployment. Sustainable job creation requires active partnerships between government, business, labour, and communities.

Through our Public Employment Services programme, we continue to connect job seekers with employment opportunities, provide career guidance, and support skills development initiatives.

Our provincial offices across KwaZulu-Natal remain committed to assisting unemployed citizens and facilitating access to available opportunities.

We are also encouraging businesses to make greater use of the Employment Tax Incentive, which supports the employment of young people entering the labour market for the first time. In addition, Productivity SA continues to assist businesses facing operational challenges, helping to preserve jobs and prevent retrenchments.

As we look to the future, we are particularly excited by opportunities emerging within the green economy and the Just Energy Transition. Regions such as Richards Bay and the northern KwaZulu-Natal coast have significant potential to create new employment opportunities in renewable energy, logistics, and related industries. Our responsibility is to ensure that workers are equipped with the skills necessary to

participate meaningfully in these emerging sectors. Ladies and gentlemen,

Rights are meaningful only when they are protected and enforced. That is why the Department continues to strengthen its inspection and

enforcement capacity throughout the province. Our inspectors conduct regular inspections and investigate complaints across sectors including agriculture, domestic work, construction, and informal trade.

Workers must know that they have the right to report labour violations and seek assistance from the Department without fear of victimisation.

The Unemployment Insurance Fund continues to provide critical support to workers who lose their jobs, become ill, or require maternity benefits. We are also modernising our systems to improve efficiency and accessibility for claimants throughout the province.

Similarly, the Compensation Fund remains committed to supporting workers who suffer occupational injuries or diseases. Every worker deserves protection and support when injured in the course of their duties.

We must also be honest about the challenges we continue to face.

We recognise that labour inspectorates require additional resources. We acknowledge that unemployment cannot be solved by labour regulation alone. We understand that the rapid growth of the gig economy presents new challenges that existing legislation does not fully address. We also remain deeply concerned by the continued prevalence of gender-based violence and harassment in workplaces.

Addressing these challenges requires collective effort, innovation, and sustained commitment from all stakeholders.

As I conclude, I wish to emphasise that government cannot succeed alone.

To organised labour, we value your partnership and your continued advocacy on behalf of workers.

To employers, compliance with labour legislation should not be viewed as a burden but as an investment in a productive, stable, and motivated workforce.

And to every worker across KwaZulu-Natal, this Department exists to serve you. Know your rights, exercise your rights, and continue to hold us accountable as we work together to build a fairer and more inclusive labour market.

Together, let us continue promoting conducive labour practices, creating decent work opportunities, and ensuring that no worker is left behind.

Ngiyabonga. Th​