The much debated and controversial Social Relief Distress Grant (SRD) can be permanently introduced to assist the poorest of the poor. These findings are contrary to suggestions and speculations by conservative economists and commentators that the grant would not be fiscally sustainable.

These were the findings presented by Prof Alex van den Heever from Wits University in his presentation titled “the Expert Panel on Basic Income Support: Report into the appropriateness and feasibility of a system of Basic Income Support for South Africa”.

He was addressing the BRICS Research Network Session organised by the Department of Employment and Labour 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.

Van den Heever says their research indicates that it was possible to implement a grant of this nature with economic growth protected, a balanced budget approach and important redistributive affects.

The presentation by Van den Heever is the result of a research report compiled by an Expert Panel on Basic Income Support.

The modelling work produced in the research report analysed the SRD Grant on a zero-based budgeting basis, effectively assuming that the outlay must be financed from new sources of revenue.

Van Hen Heever says given South Africa’s extreme income inequality, revenue raising options for new redistributive programmes, such as the SRD Grant, should make use of progressive taxation options.

The modelling results indicated the following: “The SRD Grant can be introduced in a manner that is financially and economically sustainable while at the same time having a material impact on poverty and income inequality if implemented at the level of 13.1 million beneficiaries”.

For media enquiries, contact:

Teboho Thejane
Departmental Spokesperson
082 697 0694
E-mail: Teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za

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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

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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

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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

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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

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