All news: South Africa

Workers, employers and governments agree on need to link trade and employment policies in Africa

ILO research finds broad agreement among workers, employers and governments in Africa that employment policies and social dialogue are key to translating trade and investment into better employment outcomes.

Southern Africa turning social dialogue into productivity and decent work

A regional symposium convened by National Economic Development and Labour Council, the ILO and Productivity South Africa identified practical priorities for stronger institutions, inclusive enterprise transformation, better data and regional...

African trade unions advance social dialogue strategies for rural and agricultural workers

More than 50 trade union representatives and labour experts from 20 African countries are exchanging knowledge and developing practical strategies to strengthen the representation of rural and agricultural workers, facilitate access to social...

Labour Market Information Systems

South Africa strengthens its Labour Market Information System from labour market data to evidence for action

Sustained technical cooperation is helping translate stronger labour market information into practical national capacity. This showcases a partnership-driven approach that places evidence, institutional ownership and informed decision-making at the...

Putting health workers first, as HealthWISE delivers safer, healthier workplaces

ILO and Department of Employment and Labour validate HealthWISE impact in the Eastern Cape. Through partnership and practical workplace solutions, HealthWISE is improving occupational safety and health for health workers across the Eastern Cape.

South-South Collaboration

Africa and Asia-Pacific trade unions shape a fair digital future

Trade union leaders from Africa and Asia-Pacific met in Johannesburg to strengthen South–South cooperation and develop common strategies to ensure that digital transformation, including AI and platform work, advances decent work, social dialogue and...

BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting (LEMM), 15-16 July 2026

ILO welcomes BRICS focus on social protection, women’s labour force participation, formalization and future-ready labour markets

India's leadership in advancing labour and employment priorities during its BRICS Presidency is praised as ILO pledges continued support for BRICS cooperation on decent work.

Blog

Old Skills for new technologies?

AI has major implications for the skills workers need to access quality jobs. This article argues that foundational skills, more so than AI expertise, will be central for workforces to navigate this transformation.

Investment facilitation for decent work

Strengthening the role of Investment Promotion Agency in promoting quality Foreign Direct Investment and the creation of more and better jobs

South African firms turn productivity into better jobs

The ILO and Productivity SA are helping enterprises improve workplace systems, competitiveness and decent work.

World Day against Child Labour

Learners raise the Red Card against Child Labour in joint World day commemoration

South Africa strengthens global labour leadership

HealthWISE and harrassment prevention in action at work

Strengthening safe and healthy workplaces in the Eastern Cape

A joint ILO and Department of Employment and Labour mission, under the ILO-OECD-WHO Working for Health Programme, is helping build safer, healthier and more respectful workplaces in the Eastern Cape through HealthWISE implementation and workplace...

Business steps forward in national HIV and TB response

The private sector is strengthening workplace action on HIV and TB, reinforcing the role of employers in protecting workers' health, boosting productivity, and building more resilient workplaces.

Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work

Empowering women in the leather and footwear sector through skills and opportunity

Energy management and optimisation training programme in Eastern Cape

No trade without labour, enhancing the voice of African workers in trade and investment

The EU-funded SUSTAIN programme convened a three-day regional workshop bringing together trade union representatives from Southern Africa, ITUC Africa, and SATUCC to strengthen trade union engagement in aligning trade and investment with workers’...

2nd BRICS Employment Working Group meeting advances South-South cooperation

Working Group meeting advances South-South cooperation in social protection, women’s employment, skills and digitalization

World Day for Safety and Health

South Africa strengthens labour inspection amid calls to address psychosocial risks

The Department of Employment and Labour marked World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2026 with a focus on psychosocial risks and workers’ mental well-being. The commemoration called for united action to build safe and dignified workplaces.

Sawmill inspection exposes harsh reality for workers in Mpumalanga, South Africa

A joint inspection at a sawmill in Sabie, Mpumalanga, uncovered alarming working conditions that put workers’ safety, health, and dignity at risk.