Cape Town: The Department of Employment and Labour on Wednesday presented a strategic update to the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour, outlining its intensified efforts in monitoring, advocacy, inspection, and enforcement of labour laws. The briefing emphasized its commitment to promoting decent work, protecting vulnerable workers, and ensuring a stable labour market.
According to South African Government News Agency, the strategic update was presented by Deputy Minister Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala, who highlighted the growing complexity of the labour market due to globalisation, digitalisation, and precarious work arrangements. The Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) is responding to these changes by embracing technology and enhancing enforcement, particularly for vulnerable groups such as migrant and gig economy workers.
Acting Director-General Jacky Molisane underscored the importance of IES in achieving the department’s vision of decent work, stating that it is aligned with the International Labour Organization’s framework. The IES is evolving to meet the demands of a rapidly changing labour market influenced by globalisation, technological advancement, and shifting employment patterns.
The department acknowledged the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, involving law enforcement agencies, organised labour, and other government departments, in achieving its goals. Inspector-General Aggy Moiloa highlighted significant achievements, including over 308,000 inspections in the past year and a record 89% prosecution referral rate for non-compliant employers.
The IES model continues to address emerging challenges such as climate change, non-standard employment, and digital transformation. It operates under a robust legislative framework that includes the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Employment Equity Act, and the National Minimum Wage Act, among others. These laws form the foundation of the department’s mission to protect workers’ rights and promote fair, safe, and dignified working conditions.
A key focus of the presentation was the department’s advocacy efforts, with IES significantly expanding its outreach initiatives over the past three years. In the 2024/25 financial year alone, the department exceeded its target by hosting nine sector-specific seminars in domestic work, agriculture, and commercial fishing. Additional events included an Employment Standards Conference, a hospitality industry breakfast session, the Annual Labour Law Indaba, and the Employment Equity Dinner and Awards.
Inspection activities have intensified, with over 308,000 inspections conducted in the 2023/24 financial year, well above the planned target. These inspections aim to ensure employer compliance with employment laws, supporting the broader goal of decent work and economic recovery. The inspections covered a wide range of sectors and addressed emerging challenges such as remote work, non-standard employment, and climate-related workplace risks.
Monitoring and evaluation are conducted through the department’s internal governance structures, oversight bodies, and inter-ministerial coordination groups. The implementation plan is a living document, allowing for regular updates based on progress and changing labour market dynamics. Enforcement remains a cornerstone of IES operations, with a 99% rate of serving notices to non-compliant employers within 14 days of inspection in 2023/24. Of those who failed to comply, 89% were referred for prosecution.
Occupational health and safety (OHS) was another major theme during the presentation, with the IES reporting a total of 107,808 OHS inspections in 2024/25 and an average compliance rate of 60%. The department continues to align its practices with international standards, including ILO Conventions 155 and 187, which recognise a safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental right.
The IES Service Delivery Model integrates proactive and reactive inspections, capacity building through training and mentoring, and stakeholder engagement with employers, employees, the judiciary, academic institutions, and professional bodies. This holistic approach ensures that all facets of the labour market are addressed, with special attention given to vulnerable workers and high-risk sectors such as SMEs and the informal economy.
Deputy Minister Sibiya emphasized the importance of prioritizing labour matters within the justice system and urged the prosecuting authority to treat labour-related issues with the seriousness they deserve. Sibiya highlighted the need for increased support, calling for a larger budget allocation to the IES and the appointment of additional inspectors to achieve more impactful inspection outcomes. Inspectors often operate in challenging and hazardous environments, facing threats and, in some cases, even being confronted by aggressive animals when visiting certain farms.