We are building a Whole-of-Government, A whole-of-Society Approach to Employment- Minister Nomakhosazana Meth

We are building a Whole-of-Government, A whole-of-Society Approach to Employment- Minister Nomakhosazana Meth

The Department of Employment and Labour Minister, Nomakhosazana Meth, today 17 July 2025, delivered a compelling address to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) during the policy debate on Budget Vote 31. Outlined as a "moral reckoning" and a roadmap for institutional reform, the Minister emphasised urgency, inclusion, and action.

Minister Meth in addressing the gravity of South Africa’s unemployment challenge, with youth unemployment alarmingly high the Minister said, this is “a call to action” to make employment the central pillar of national development. She further indicated that as of midJune 2025, over 79% of funded vacancies have been advertised, and the aim is to reduce the vacancy rate to 12% by year-end. The focus is on posts critical to service delivery.

One of the key highlights is the ongoing success of the National Pathway Management Network (NPMN), managed by Harambee. To date, it has registered over 5 million youth and placed 1.57 million in earning opportunities — 70% of them women, The Department also plans to register 1 million work seekers, offer 270,000 counselling sessions, and fill 70,000 job opportunities through its public employment services, said Minister Meth.

Meth said she is pleased to confirm that the National Labour Migration Policy (NLMP) has been approved by Cabinet. The Employment Services Amendment Bill (ESAB) was also approved by Cabinet for submission to Parliament. This provides a legal framework to regulate the employment of foreign nationals and addresses misuse by labour brokers and the exploitation of undocumented workers, these aims to balance the rights of local job seekers with South Africa’s international commitments, while protecting vulnerable workers.

Despite tight budget constraints, the Department has secured a R4.153 billion allocation for the 2025/26 financial year. Key budget allocations include:
● R1.598 billion for employee compensation to strengthen core services.
● R694.789 million for operational support and stakeholder engagement.
● R1.738 billion for transfers to institutions like the CCMA, Productivity SA, and Nedlac.
● R121.033 million to modernize digital infrastructure at labour centres.

The Minister also revealed substantial support through the Unemployment Insurance Fund (R38.4 billion) and Compensation Fund, with targeted initiatives to protect and activate jobs particularly for youth, women, and persons with disabilities

In addition, the Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Honourable Jomo Sibiya, underscored the Department’s critical role in ensuring compliance with South Africa’s labour laws. He affirmed that the 2025/26 budget allocation will support the execution of provinciallevel enforcement activities that align with national priorities.

Each province will focus on high-risk and strategic sectors based on their economic profiles and occupational health concerns. In the Free State, inspections will prioritise the agriculture and chemical industries due to their elevated safety risks.

Gauteng will concentrate on compliance within the metals and chemical industries, while KwaZulu-Natal will focus its efforts on the textile and forestry industries. Limpopo will continue its oversight of the agricultural sector, and Mpumalanga will inspect businesses in the clothing retail and forestry sectors.

The North West Province has concluded a series of inspections in the hospitality industry. In the Northern Cape, enforcement will target the wholesale and retail trade sectors, while the Western Cape will focus on the metals industry. The Eastern Cape is preparing for a comprehensive inspection blitz in the construction sector.

These targeted interventions reflect a data-driven approach to labour market regulation, aimed at improving workplace conditions, ensuring fair treatment of workers, and upholding the principles of decent work across all provinces.

For media inquiries, please contact: Teboho Thejane Departmental Spokesperson 082 697 0694/ teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za

-ENDSIssued by: Department of Employment and Labour