By Akani Nkuna
Labour and Employment Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has presented a strategy on how the department plans to address unemployment, especially amongst the youth.
The strategy identifies seven critical priority areas.
“[We need] to strengthen our regulatory capabilities by carefully assessing how labour law reforms will influence our strategic and operational planning,” Meth said.
The department acknowledges the need to evaluate factors which are critical to addressing the unemployment dilemma in a global sense. It must consider technological advancements, demographic shifts, climate change and geopolitical dynamics.
It said they necessitated the development of adaptable polices and a regulatory framework for the evolving workplace.
“These reforms will reshape our approach to protecting workers’ rights and regulating employment conditions, significantly impacting the department’s capacity to enforce compliance and address labour market challenges,” Meth said on Tuesday.
Coordinated efforts with sister organisations through Presidential Youth Employment Initiatives was also important in addressing unemployment.
The department has also introduced Ministerial Excellence Awards to incentivise hard work by recognising good performers and boasting staff morale within the hierarchy of ministerial occupations.
Meth said that an effective government would inherently rectify unemployment.
Regrettably, she said, the self-serving interests of public officials obstructed meaningful progress in addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges.
“We are focusing on good corporate governance by improving the audit outcomes of the Auditor-General of South Africa and internal audits, and maintaining zero tolerance for corruption, maladministration and poor performance,” she said.
Meth also said that the department was intensifying its marketing and communication efforts through Operation Yazini and DEL Fridays, showcasing its services, programmes and achievements.
“We are advancing the department’s new employment mandate by focusing on establishing public-private partnerships with government, business, labour, international agencies and civil society,” she said.
Meanwhile, Meth said while reflecting on her 100 days in office, that there were plans to reintroduce the teacher assistants initiative next year, which was forecasted to recruit 140,000 unemployed youth under the Labour Activation Programme.
Additionally, Productivity SA has collaborated with the UIF on a business turnaround and recovery programme, valued at R165 million. Its aim is also to mitigate job losses.
“The department will launch the programme before the end of November 2024. Through this programme, 226 enterprises will be supported, and 11,300 jobs will be saved over the next three years,” Meth added.
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