Labour Minister seeks Treasury funding to combat workplace violations

In a significant move aimed at bolstering labour rights and ensuring compliance with employment regulations, Minister of Employment and Labour, Nkosazana Meth, has announced plans to petition the National Treasury for additional funding. This funding is intended to increase the number of labour inspectors across all nine provinces of South Africa.

The move comes as the Department reports persistent non-compliance in workplaces across the country, with non-compliance rates ranging between 13% and 66% across provinces and sectors over the past five years.

Between 2021/22 and 2025/26, the Department conducted 1,265,135 workplace inspections and received thousands of complaints regarding non-compliant workplaces. During the same period, a total of 1,662 labour inspectors were employed.

In a parliamentary reply to questions posed by Rise Mzansi MP Songezo Zibi, Meth said that the Department plans to increase the number of labour inspectors in line with the International Labour Organisation’s recommended ratio of one inspector for every 20,000 workers.

"Motivation will be made to the National Treasury for increased funding to employ more Labour Inspectors. The number will be determined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) ratio of 1: 20 000, that is, 1 Labour Inspector for 20,000 workers for transitional economies such as South Africa", Meth said.

"There is also a need to strengthen Labour Inspectors by increasing their numbers, especially in Employment Equity and Statutory Services".

She also highlighted the launch of “Project 20K,” a two-year initiative that will see 20,000 graduate interns deployed within the inspections and enforcement branch to support labour inspectors and gain experience.

"The Department has initiated and launched an innovative project, “PROJECT 20K”, where it is envisaged that 20,000 graduate interns would be appointed for a 2-year period within the Inspections & Enforcement Branch (Labour Inspectorate) to assist Labour Inspectors in their duties as well as to gain exposure and experience within the South African Labour Market".

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