BRICS collective efforts can make a meaningful difference in the lives of people

The Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Ms Boitumelo Moloi, has re-iterated the country’s commitment to supporting efforts of BRICS member states to eradicate poverty, support job creation as part of creating the decent work agenda.

 

The Deputy Minister was speaking at a gala dinner where she hosted the BRICS member states at the end of the four-day Employment Working Group Meeting at Mulderdrift, near Johannesburg.

 

The BRICS member states are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

 

“Through our collective efforts, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our people, particularly in the areas of growing our economies, employment, job creation, and decent work,” said the Deputy Minister.

 

“We are committed to building on the progress that we have made during this first meeting, and we look forward to continuing our work towards achieving the goals set out in our joint action plan,” said Ms Moloi.

 

Ms Moloi said the BRICS member states’ commitment to working with South Africa towards common goals has been “unwavering”, and the multi-national partnership continues to “inspire”.

 

“Your presence here has been invaluable, and your contributions have enriched our discussions and helped us to achieve our objectives.  The knowledge, expertise, and diverse perspectives you have brought to the table have been truly remarkable,” the Deputy Minister told BRICS member states delegation.

 

For media enquiries, please contact:

Teboho Thejane – Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 082 697 0694
Email: Teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za

 

ISSUED BY DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR

Employment and Labour Director-General unveils a wish to formalise the informal sector

The Director-General (DG) of Employment and Labour, Mr Thobile Lamati, has said South Africa, along with other BRICS member states are committed to bring on board the informal sector into the mainstream economy as part of normalisation of the labour market.

 

The DG was speaking to the media at the end of the 4-day meeting of working group by BRICS states that includes; Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. “As things stands, 20% of South Africa workforce belongs to the informal sector. The challenge is how we transition to the formal sector. On the other hand, India’s informal sector stands at 100%,” Lamati said.

 

The DG said the meeting also dealt with challenges of creating enterprises that are sustainable while ensuring that the fundamental principles and the rights at work are protected. He also spoke about lessons learnt from the disruptions on the world economy brought by COVID-19. “COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many economic and social processes”, he said.

 

This summit is to be followed by similar sessions in May and June which will culminate in the Ministerial meeting in September at which a declaration will be prepared for the adoption for the Head of States.

 

For media enquiries, contact:
Teboho Thejane – Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 082 697 0694
Email: Teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za

 

ISSUED BY DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR

Worker rights occupy centre stage at BRICS Meeting

Worker rights are the cornerstone of a fair, just and prosperous society as they ensure that employees have access to safe working conditions, a BRICS meeting was told in Muldersdrift, west of Johannesburg on Tuesday.

 

Ms Boitumelo Moloi, Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, was addressing the inaugural meeting organised by the Department under the theme “Ensuring decent work, dignity and respect for all”. The BRICS meeting is being attended by 5 member states namely; Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa along with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), African Union as well as Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia and Malawi as invitees.

 

The meeting will look into issues of human dignity as the world tries to recover from COVID-19, energy crisis and stagflation.

 

The Deputy Minister told 140 delegates in attendance that worker rights are essential for individual workers as well as the health and stability of the broader economy.

 

“Therefore, worker rights, productivity and decent work are intrinsically linked- a happy worker is a productive worker”, she said. She urged BRICS countries to lead the way in promoting and protecting worker rights by implementing ILO conventions. So doing, she said, the members’ states should demonstrate their commitment to a fairer, more equitable society and create sustainable and inclusive growth conditions.

 

She further encouraged member states to optimise the relationship between productivity and decent work, promoting and protecting workers’ rights to improve poor working conditions, fair wages and protection against health and safety hazards.

 

In a message of support from the ILO, Ms Claire Harasty, said labour rights at work are indispensable in seeking to achieve equality and justice. “Sustainable enterprise promote good working conditions for employees, and my organisation is ready to accompany BRICS in achieving its goals”.

 

African Regional Labour and Administration Centre (ARLAC) representative Dr Locary Hlabanu said “decent work sums up the totality of the mandate of my organisation and by extension the ILO. There is need for governments and social partners to create an enabling environment for social protection”.

 

The Director General of the Department of Employment and Labour; Mr Thobile Lamati said the Muldersdrift session paves the way towards the upcoming technical meetings to be held in May, June and September this year. The final outcome of these processes will give birth to the declaration to be adopted by the Ministers and Heads of States.

 

For media enquiries, please contact:

 

Teboho Thejane: Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 082 697 0694
Email: Teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za

 

ISSUED BY DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR

BRICS Meeting gets underway in Johannesburg amidst challenges of economic growth

BRICS Meeting gets underway in Johannesburg amidst challenges of economic growth while also protecting employee rights.

 

Issues of productivity and employee rights will loom large at an all-important summit of Brics member states which kicks off in Muldersdrift, west of Johannesburg on Tuesday (tomorrow).

 

The event, being organised by the Department of Employment and Labour, will be attended by the five member states Brazil – Russia – India – China and South Africa, along with the International Labour Organisation, African Union as well as Zimbabwe – Botswana – Eswatini – Namibia and Malawi.

 

Mr Siyabonga Hadebe, South Africa’s labour attaché in Geneva, said the meeting, which ends on Friday, would look at how to manage issues of human dignity as the world tries to recover from Covid-19, energy crisis and stagflation.

 

“In terms of productivity, we’ll look at how we can have more output using the same inputs. Also, how we can have more innovation to grow our economies.

 

“On employee rights, we are all members of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and therefore subscribe to labour conventions on matters of health and safety and the right to form and belong to trade unions,” he said.

 

According to Hadebe the session would be followed by others in May, June and the last one in September to be attended by Ministers.

 

He said the Muldersdrift meeting will see technical teams assembling and setting the stage for the final outcome.

 

It will be chaired by the Department’s Director-General, Mr Thobile Lamati.

 

For media enquiries contact:

Teboho Thejane – Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 082 697 0694
Email: teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za

 

ISSUED BY DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR

Message by Minister Pandor to the First BRICS Sherpa and Sous-Sherpa Meeting, Limpopo, South Africa, 1 February 2023

BRICS Sherpas and Sous-Sherpas,

Ambassadors,

Director-General Dangor,

Professor Sooklal,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Good day to you all. It is my pleasure to welcome you to South Africa for the first BRICS Sherpa and Sous-Sherpa meeting of 2023.

 

How I wish I were with you at Mabula Game Lodge. I’m told that you’ve enjoyed a morning game drive and I trust that the African bush revealed all its many natural wonders to you. I believe that we should take good care of all animals and am fully committed to South Africa’s programmes for the protection of wild animals.

 

I hope that the lions behaved very well in front of you as senior BRICS diplomats and that if there were any challenge from a lion you were able to mediate that dispute and make sure there is peace in the wild.

 

Allow me to begin by expressing our deep appreciation for the leadership of China as Chair of BRICS in 2022. It was a challenging year on many fronts. Yet we saw our BRICS partnership overcome differences to provide global leadership, particularly in matters of interest to the global South as these issues are increasingly neglected by our other international partners.

 

As we Chair BRICS, we do so in a world with hidden fault lines revealing themselves. In fact, as many say, the globe has not been as fragmented as it is today for many, many decades. We face the impact of the pandemic eroding decades of development. We face geopolitical contestation which is very worryingly diverting attention from global challenges that all of us should be collaborating to address. We need to combat the effects of climate change. We need to help the African continent finally silence the guns. These are the challenges of the most desperate in the world. And these are the challenges we should all be addressing.

 

We hear predictions that say that the economic impacts of the pandemic, of the conflicts we see, and unilateral economic measures will only worsen this year and that we will see deepened social and political consequences. Of course, as BRICs we must find ways of addressing these emerging problems. I believe that not all is doom and gloom.

 

The Year of the Rabbit is auspicious for our Chairship as it heralds fresh starts, renewed hope and joyful reunions. Renewed hope is something that BRICS can offer to the world, to the international community, particularly the global South. BRICS can provide the leadership necessary to strengthen multilateralism, bring about meaningful reform and can also work together to drive a sustainable global economic recovery that benefits not only us, but the broader global South.

 

As BRICS we seek to address conflicts through diplomatic means, through negotiations under the auspices of the United Nation with the intent of creating a peaceful and harmonious world focused on cooperation rather than confrontation and conflict.

 

We intend to build on the momentum of 15 years of BRICS cooperation. Momentum which has seen our partnership evolve and expand its mandate beyond the narrow focus that brought us together and now includes cooperation across the three pillars of political and security, economic and financial, and social and people to people cooperation.

 

As BRICS, we will also build on our shared commitment to improving the lives and livelihoods of our people, of advancing the interests and developmental goals of the global South, and our founding vision of a more just, equitable and fair global political, economic, and financial landscape with increased representation and voice.

 

The significant interest in joining BRICS by many is a clear sign that BRICS has remained true to its values of strengthening multilateralism, driving reform as well as boosting global economic growth and stability. And it would appear that these characteristics are of great attractiveness to many nations in different parts of the world.

 

This is what led to our conclusion as the Cabinet of South Africa that our theme for 2023, would most appropriately be: “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism”.

 

Our theme and priorities reflect our foreign policy focus on advancing in partnership with others. We cannot leave the African continent and the global South behind. We intend to continue our outreach to the continent and leading members of the global South.

 

We look forward to welcoming you once more to South Africa for the 15th BRICS Summit from 22-24 August 2023. We will celebrate 10 years of the BRICS Business Council and BRICS Think Tanks Council. They have both added significant value to our partnership and have much more to offer us in aligning our policies and cooperation to the needs of our people, to communities and to businesses.

 

I thank you for the messages of support I have received from all of your countries as Chair. Over the next days, our officials will expand on their plans for 2023. We aim to not only hold the traditional meetings but will explore pragmatic ways to deliver tangible results on key BRICS priorities. We plan to work together with you to strengthen our proposals and bring them to fruition for mutual benefit.

 

As we move proceed together, I wish to convey my sincere appreciation for the commitment and effort of our Sherpas and Sous-Sherpas. You are the engine that drives our BRICS cooperation. The spirit of solidarity, respect and friendship that clearly prevails in your meetings lays a solid foundation for our cooperation at the political level and it allows our cooperation to stand the test of time and holds us together when the storms inevitably pass by.

 

Allow me to conclude by once more wishing you well in your deliberations which, I am confident, will bring renewed vigour and fresh energy to our partnership.

 

Enjoy your deliberations!

 

ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

 

OR Tambo Building

460 Soutpansberg Road

Rietondale

Pretoria

0084

South Africa hosts First BRICS Meeting in Bela Bela

As Chair of BRICS for the year 2023, South Africa will host the first meeting of its tenure – the BRICS Sherpas and Sous-Sherpas – in Bela Bela, Limpopo Province, from 01-02 February 2023.

 

Professor Anil Sooklal, Ambassador-at-Large for Asia and BRICS and South Africa’s BRICS Sherpa will host his counterparts from the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India and the People’s Republic of China.

 

BRICS is a grouping of five major emerging economies – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – which together represent about 41% of the world’s population, 26% of the planet’s landmass across four of the continents, 25% of global GDP and 20% of world trade.

 

South Africa is Chairing BRICS under the theme: “BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism”. The theme emphasises the continued value of BRICS as a partnership of leading emerging markets and developing countries providing leadership and momentum towards global growth, sustainable development and inclusion of the global South in the world system.

 

The theme informs South Africa’s priorities for 2023, namely developing a partnership towards an equitable Just Transition; transforming education and skills development for the future; unlocking opportunities through the African Continental Free Trade Agreement; strengthening post-pandemic socio-economic recovery and the attainment of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and strengthening multilateralism, including working towards real reform of global governance institutions and strengthening the meaningful participation of women in peace processes.

 

Senior government officials from South Africa and the South African Chapters of the BRICS Business Council, BRICS Women’s Business Alliance and the BRICS Think Tanks Council will use the First BRICS Sherpa and Sous-Sherpa meeting to introduce South Africa’s priorities and expectations as Chair of BRICS for 2023 to our BRICS partners.

 

Media are invited as follows:

 

Date: Wednesday, 1 February 2023
Time: 09h00
Venue: Mabula Lodge, Bela Bela, Limpopo

 

Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO, 082 884 5974

 

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

 

OR Tambo Building

460 Soutpansberg Road

Rietondale

Pretoria

0084

BRICS EWG convene in SA to discuss labour market policy issues

The Department of Employment and Labour is gearing itself to host the first in a series of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) countries’ Employment Working Group (EWG) meetings planned in 2023.

 

Simultaneously, the BRICS Research Network Forum will also meet as well. The Department of Employment and Labour will coordinate the labour and employment stream during the SA presidency in 2023.

 

This stream entails arranging the BRICS Employment Working Group meetings, the BRICS Network of Labour Research Institutes meeting and the 9th BRICS Labour and Employment Minister’s Meeting (LEMM) in 2023.

 

Department of Employment and Labour’s Acting Deputy Director-General of Labour Policy & Industrial Relations (LP&IR) branch, Sipho Ndebele said the at the apex of discussions will be social security issues. Ndebele said the first meeting will be held from 21-24 February 2023 and this will be followed by other meetings in May, June and September.

 

“This series of EWG and Research Network Forum meetings will culminate with the EWG Labour & Employment Minister’s Meeting in September 2023. We envisage the two forums meetings to discuss priority issues in the technical meetings in preparations for the Labour and Employment Ministerial meeting,” he said.

 

Ndebele said SA Presidency of BRICS provide it with an opportunity to promote regional and global issues on the back of skyrocketing unemployment and health fallout created by the pandemic.

 

The Republic of South Africa on 1st January 2023 formally assumed the Presidency of BRICS for a period of one year after succeeding Peoples Republic of China. It will be the third time South Africa takes the reigns of Presidency of BRICS. The country assumes its chairship amidst the global issues such as Covid-19, sharp rise – in food prices, fertilisers, energy, interest rates, currency depreciation, stagflation and unemployment.

 

South Africa’s theme for its Presidency is: “Ensuring decent work, dignity and respect for all!”

 

The thematic issues of discussion will focus on:

 

  • Building sustainable enterprises, including new forms of employment and increasing productivity

  • Promoting labour rights and decreasing decent work deficits in the context of the recovery

  • Universal social protection and ensuring minimum basic income

  • Promoting decent work by closing skills gaps in the informal economy

 

The LEMM in 2022 adopted a Ministerial Declaration with firm commitments to promoting Green Jobs for Sustainable Development; skills development and technological innovation to promote economic growth and social progress; promotion of a human-centred approach in line with 2019 ILO Centenary Declaration for the future of work.

 

In a drive to ensure the support of global initiatives for a human-centred recovery from the Covid-19 crisis South Africa has also invited as part of the Africa Outreach programmes countries such as Botswana, eSwatini, Malawi, Namibia and Zimbabwe. The African Union is also invited. The ILO and the International Social Security Association (ISSA) will provide technical support during the meetings.

 

BRICS is an economic bloc that includes: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Formed on 16 June 2009, South Africa joined BRICS in December 2010.

 

The first BRICS EWG and Research Network Forum meetings will be held as follows:

 

Date: 21-24 February 2023
Venue: Misty Hills Country Hotel Conference Centre & Spa, Muldersdrift.

 

Enquiries:
Teboho Thejane
Cell: 082 697 0694
E-mail: Teboho.Thejane@labour.gov.za

 

ISSUED BY DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR

Minister Naledi Pandor: Closing Remarks during Bilateral Political Consultations with Russian Federation Minister, Sergei Lavrov, 23 January 2023

Your Excellency Mr Lavrov,

 

The discussions of today were frank and open, and I am pleased about the progress evident on a variety of issues between our two countries.

 

Your Excellency, we attach great importance to fostering and deepening our strategic partnership by strengthening the structured bilateral mechanism between our two countries. In this regard I look forward to co-hosting the 17th ITEC Session during the 1st Quarter of 2023.

 

I look forward to the implementation of our commitments and a continued closer working relationship. Our goal is to work unrelentingly towards the upliftment of our respective nations and doing so through the instruments of foreign policy that we have at our disposal.

 

Our shared goal I believe is to witness a significant and imminent increase in economic, social, cultural, and scientific interactions between our countries.

 

We have reviewed the status of some of the outstanding agreements and reiterated our commitments in areas where work remains to be done. More importantly we should encourage our colleagues in other departments to be responsive to issues that we and our teams have identified as important for our bilateral cooperation.

 

I look forward to welcoming you and your delegation back to South Africa in the not-too-distant future for our BRICS engagement.

 

I wish you good health and a safe return home.

 

I thank you.

 

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

 

OR Tambo Building

460 Soutpansberg Road

Rietondale

Pretoria

0084

President Cyril Ramaphosa extends wishes on Chinese Lunar New Year and annual Spring festival

President Cyril Ramaphosa extends his best wishes to the Government and people of the People’s Republic of China on the occasion of the Chinese Lunar New Year and Annual Spring Festival.

 

President Ramaphosa has, on behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, expressed his wish that the advent of the Year of the Rabbit will indeed endow citizens of the People’s Republic of China with the longevity, peace and prosperity associated with the zodiac sign for the year ahead.

 

South Africa values the vibrant economic relations and political cooperation that characterise its partnership with the People’s Republic of China.

 

President Ramaphosa said: “My dear brothers and sisters from China and all Chinese communities around the world: I wish you all a happy Lunar New Year and a prosperous Spring Festival 2023.

 

“On behalf of the Government and People of South Africa, I wish the Government and the people of China, including here in South Africa, a happy and fulfilling time of goodwill, celebration and friendship, as you renew the bonds between friends or reunite with family during this period.”

 

“As we enter the New Year, we are also celebrating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of South Africa and the People’s Republic of China in 1998.

 

“In addition, South Africa will succeed China as Chair and host of the next BRICS Summit, during which we hope to receive His Excellency, President Xi Jinping in South Africa. These occasions provide ample cause for celebration.”

 

Media enquiries:

Vincent Magwenya
Cell: 082 835 6325

 

ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

Minister Nathi Mthethwa announces major sport events in first Quarter of 2023

The year 2023 kicks off with several international sport events in different sport disciplines which are set to take place at various centres around the country. Some of these sport events, such as Table Tennis and Netball, are preludes of the main sport activities to take place later in the year.

 

In a major announcement on the international sport events to be hosted by South Africa, Minister Nathi Mthethwa commented as follows:

 

“Whilst more has been reported on the hosting of the 2023 Netball World Cup by South Africa, little is known about the other major events that will kick-start our national sport programme for the 2023 calendar year. Whereas the hosting of major sport events has a lot to do with sports’ entertainment value, our decisions have more to do with sports’ contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

 

Indeed the 2010 FIFA World Cup is said to have made a positive economic impact to the order of US$509 million to the 2010 real GDP. Whilst we have to be circumspect about the number and nature of events we host, the impact on the country’s economic recovery has to be weighed against the opportunity cost of not doing so”.

 

“As early as the first quarter of 2023”, the Minister added,” the country will host several major events in the disciplines of Men’s and Women’s Cricket, Netball and Table Tennis. Additionally, as part of South Africa assuming Chairship of the BRICS Ministers of Sport Forum, we will also be hosting the 2023 BRICS Games this year”.

 

By way of specific events, the following will be hosted by South Africa in the first quarter of 2023:

 

1. Table Tennis

World Table Tennis Championships to take place in Durban from 8 to 15 January, ahead of the actual Championships which take place in the same Province in May.

 

2. Netball

Netball Quad Series which takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 21 to 25 January will see the Proteas taking on their counterparts from Australia, England and New Zealand ahead of the 2023 Netball World Cup that takes place at the same venue in July/August.

 

3. Cricket

ICC U/19 Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup, which will be held in Potchefstroom and Benoni from 14 to 29 January. This will be the first edition of the event.
SA20 Cricket League which will be held for the first time at several venues from 10 to 23 January.
8th ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 which takes place at Newlands/Paarl/Gqeberha from 10 to 26 January.

It goes without saying that Table Tennis, Netball and Cricket fans should look forward to quality matchups featuring the best teams in the world!

 

Enquiries:

Masechaba Khumalo
Minister’s Spokesperson
Tel: 066 380 7408

 

Mickey Modisane
Chief Director- Stakeholder Relations & Special Projects
Tel: 082 992 0101

 

ISSUED BY DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS, ARTS AND CULTURE