Pretoria: Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has emphasised that close collaboration with labour federations is integral to shaping equitable policies and ensuring effective enforcement. Speaking at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) Annual Labour School in Pretoria, Meth highlighted the importance of unions in informing better law-making, governance, and enhancing the department’s capacity to monitor compliance.
According to South African Government News Agency, Meth acknowledged the significant role unions have played in South Africa, noting their strength and influence are crucial in advocating for workers’ rights and ensuring equitable economic gains. She emphasized the importance of thought leadership and transversal coordination in aligning policy, fostering industrial expansion, and preparing the workforce for future opportunities.
Meth described NEDLAC as a statutory social dialogue forum essential for achieving balanced consensus on labour and socio-economic legislation. She stressed the need for government departments to submit all labour-related Bills to NEDLAC and for Parliament to allow thorough NEDLAC engagement before finalising legislative processes.
Addressing South Africa’s high unemployment rate, particularly the youth unemployment rate of 45.5% as of the third quarter of 2024, Meth highlighted the crisis’s impact on communities, where poverty and social tensions prevail. She warned of the potential for a ‘lost generation’ whose long-term career prospects might be compromised.
The Minister argued that effective solutions must align with frameworks like the National Development Plan, the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, and the Medium-Term Development Plan 2024 – 2029. These frameworks provide a path for structural transformation, uniting public and private resources to generate sustainable growth and reduce inequality.
Following the 2019 reconfiguration, the Department of Employment and Labour expanded its focus to actively drive employment creation. This expanded mandate rests on three core pillars: harmonising multi-departmental initiatives, leveraging data-driven insights for policy decisions, and fostering partnerships across sectors for job creation.
Last October, Meth announced an increase in labour inspectors from 2,000 to 20,000 to ensure compliance with labour laws and achieve the department’s mandate. Emphasising collaboration, Meth urged joint efforts to address unemployment, inequality, and poverty, ensuring that policies and programmes lead to an economy with dignified, productive work for all.
Meth expressed gratitude to organised labour for its vigilance and activism, emphasizing the importance of moving forward together-government, labour, business, and civil society-to strengthen social partnerships and make inclusive growth a reality. She called for unity, innovation, and determination to improve the lives of all South Africans.