Edition May 2025

May is a special month for workers in South Africa, as we commemorate Workers’ Day and observe Workers’ Month. The month is dedicated to honouring the commitment and resilience of the workers who power our economy and contribute to building a better nation.

During this time, we also recognise government’s ongoing commitment to protecting workers’ rights.

Workers’ Day does not only celebrate the rights of workers but reminds us of the sacrifices and victories of workers and trade unions in the struggle for fair standards and dignified employment. This year’s theme,  “Industrialisation, Trade, and Decent Work for Social Justice,” stresses the importance of promoting fair treatment, dignity and well-being in the workplace.

As managers in the public sector, we should promote labour rights and build fair and inclusive workplaces – guided by our constitutional values of dignity, equity and social justice.

Over the past 31 years, government has consistently demonstrated its commitment to protecting workers' rights through progressive legislation and initiatives.

The Labour Relations Act of 1995 promotes collective bargaining, and allows workers and employers to negotiate wages, terms and conditions of employment, and other matters of mutual interest. It also encourages employee participation in workplace decision-making and provides a framework for the effective resolution of labour disputes. Additionally, the Act safeguards the right to strike while fostering industrial peace.

The Basic Conditions of Employment Act of 1997 establishes minimum employment standards, including regulations on working hours, leave and termination. The Employment Equity Act of 1998 ad- dresses unfair discrimination and promotes equal opportunity and transformation within the workplace.

The Employment Equity Amendment Act of 2022, which came into effect on 1 January 2025, aims to reduce the regulatory burden on small employers and enable them to focus more on job creation.

Meanwhile, the National Minimum Wage (NMW) Act of 2018 protects low-income workers by laying a foundation for reducing income inequality and closing wage gaps. In a move expected to provide vital economic support to the six million workers earning within the NMW bracket, the NMW went up by 4% – from 27.58 to 28.79 per hour, as of 1 March 2025.

Despite unemployment remaining high at 31.9%, government continues to implement programmes designed to create and support employment, and training opportunities for South Africans. Through the Expanded Public Works Programme, government provides income support and skills development opportunities through public infrastructure and service delivery projects.

Meanwhile, the National Skills Fund and Sector Education and Training Authorities are responsible for upskilling the workforce and empowering workers with competencies that are crucial for the employment demands of the future.

Through the Unemployment Insurance Fund, government offers temporary financial relief to unemployed workers, as well as those on maternity, illness or parental leave. The Presidential Employment Stimulus, introduced to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, has successfully created thousands of jobs in sectors such as education, infrastructure and the environment.

Statistics indicate that a large number of young people remain unemployed. Initiatives like the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) play a pivotal role in addressing this challenge and ensuring that no one is left behind.

The programme not only helps reduce youth unemployment but also equips participants with valuable skills, preparing them to pursue further opportunities beyond their time in the programme.

Phase V of the BEEI is currently underway, with a goal of creating 204 676 job opportunities across the country.

As we celebrate the hard-won rights of South African workers, we have a shared duty to not only implement policies but to shape an inclusive future of work – one that is grounded in dignity, innovation and decent work for all.

This commitment is fulfilled by applying relevant policies across our respective departments and organisations, including those promoting gender equity and creating accommodating environments for employees with disabilities.

Government is committed to job creation and the inclusion of youth, women and people with disabilities into a fair, just and supportive labour market. 

Despite this, gender inequality in the workplace remains. According to Gender Series Volume XI: Women Empowerment, 2014 – 2024, a report published by Statistics South Africa in August 2024, women in South Africa are more likely to face unemployment and are less likely to participate in the workforce compared to men. Let us also use this Workers’ Month to champion the Batho Pele principles. We should all be reminded as employees in our organisations that these hard-won rights come with equally important responsibilities. While our rights continue to be protected, we must remember our duty to ensure that the rights of South Africans are realised through effective service delivery.

We should contribute to building a capable, ethical and developmental state by enabling employees under our leadership to grow and receive the necessary training and support. The National School of Government offers various courses designed for the Public Service, including those focused on ethics.

We should also create a motivating environment by recognising and rewarding best practices through initiatives such as Employee of the Month awards. It is crucial to remember that there is no limit to what a motivated workforce can achieve, in the case of the public service a committed public servant cohort is a key driver for efficient and impactful service deliver to the citizens we all serve.