Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, led Parliament’s tribute to workers and trade unions across the country. In a joint message, they emphasised that the labour movement not only fought for fair wages and working conditions but also stood firm during the darkest days of apartheid.

Parliamentary Spokesperson Moloto Mothapo stressed that Parliament remains committed to pushing for accountability from the executive, especially on issues that affect workers and labour rights.

He noted that SA’s labour landscape is changing rapidly, and parliament is keeping pace. “As the world of work evolves, parliament is actively engaging on matters such as basic income support proposals and the regulation of digital and platform work to ensure fair treatment, benefits, and protection for gig economy workers,” Mothapo said.

But serious challenges remain. Data from the latest Labour Force Survey by Statistics SA shows youth unemployment, particularly among those aged 15 to 24, remains alarmingly high at over 60%. The report also highlights that black Africans and women are still bearing the brunt of unemployment, a gap that continues to undermine the country’s development goals.

“These figures underscore the need for parliament to prioritise gender-responsive and equitable economic policies,” Mothapo added.

--ChannelAfrica--