Decent Work in Construction project engages SMME's in Ethekwini
Fact finding mission in Kwazulu Natal Province
8 December 2023
The Decent work in Construction project, undertook a fact finding mission in Durban, KwaZulu Natal Province, in South Africa (4 – 7 December 2023).
This fact-finding mission was aimed at securing partnerships with key actors in the construction sector of the eThekwini Municipality. These partnerships are essential to effect changes within the regional construction market system including fostering improved working conditions and labour rights for workers as well as improved labour productivity for enterprises.
These visits helped to highlight the innovations strategies and support that the partners are offering to enterprises and workers.
Firstly, SANRAL provides a guidance on how to ensure that the effective use of the prescribed 30% of projects for community development.
The 14 point plan highlights the best ways to ensure these investments reach the intended target groups and maximise the impact on communities. The focus of these community engagements include women, youth, people with disabilities and military veterans.
The National Construction Incubator offers support to construction enterprises across the country. The discussions highlighted the way in which the project and NCI could work together to offer support to those interested in working in the construction sector. NCI services include a three-year programme to new entrants in the construction sector. The provision of venues and offices for NCI participants and access to computer facilities.
The South African Women in Construction (SAWIC) is another partner that the project is partnering with to provide capacity development services to their members. The association provides support to its members including access to NCI trainings and services. Lungile Mdlalose, a female contractor, also affiliated with SAWIC shared the role NCI, played in the growth of her business, “I am an NCI, incubatee, I started as a Grade 2, and I am now of Grade 5, NCI supported and guided my path in business”. – Lungile is currently renting office space from the NIC.
Recognizing the challenges within the construction sector, the partners and stakeholders echoed a call for a sector-wide dialogue.
Such discussions would serve as a crucial platform to address challenges, identify opportunities, and establish better systems that empower Small, Medium, and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) to thrive and, in turn, create decent work opportunities for all workers. These dialogues are anticipated to bring together stakeholders from government, business, workers, and SMMEs to collectively shape the future of the construction sector.
This fact-finding mission was aimed at securing partnerships with key actors in the construction sector of the eThekwini Municipality. These partnerships are essential to effect changes within the regional construction market system including fostering improved working conditions and labour rights for workers as well as improved labour productivity for enterprises.
These visits helped to highlight the innovations strategies and support that the partners are offering to enterprises and workers.
Firstly, SANRAL provides a guidance on how to ensure that the effective use of the prescribed 30% of projects for community development.
The 14 point plan highlights the best ways to ensure these investments reach the intended target groups and maximise the impact on communities. The focus of these community engagements include women, youth, people with disabilities and military veterans.
The National Construction Incubator offers support to construction enterprises across the country. The discussions highlighted the way in which the project and NCI could work together to offer support to those interested in working in the construction sector. NCI services include a three-year programme to new entrants in the construction sector. The provision of venues and offices for NCI participants and access to computer facilities.
The South African Women in Construction (SAWIC) is another partner that the project is partnering with to provide capacity development services to their members. The association provides support to its members including access to NCI trainings and services. Lungile Mdlalose, a female contractor, also affiliated with SAWIC shared the role NCI, played in the growth of her business, “I am an NCI, incubatee, I started as a Grade 2, and I am now of Grade 5, NCI supported and guided my path in business”. – Lungile is currently renting office space from the NIC.
Recognizing the challenges within the construction sector, the partners and stakeholders echoed a call for a sector-wide dialogue.
Such discussions would serve as a crucial platform to address challenges, identify opportunities, and establish better systems that empower Small, Medium, and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) to thrive and, in turn, create decent work opportunities for all workers. These dialogues are anticipated to bring together stakeholders from government, business, workers, and SMMEs to collectively shape the future of the construction sector.