Department Of Employment And Labour

The Department of Employment and Labour is a South African national government department responsible for labour policy, employment services, workplace regulation and social protection programmes. The department's mandate includes administering labour legislation, promoting decent work, facilitating job creation, regulating occupational health and safety standards, and managing the Unemployment Insurance Fund. It oversees the enforcement of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the Labour Relations Act and employment equity legislation, working to balance the rights of workers and employers. The department operates public employment services to match job seekers with opportunities and implements programmes targeting youth unemployment, skills development and small business support. It houses the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, which resolves labour disputes, and the Compensation Fund, which provides benefits to workers injured on duty. The department also manages labour inspections to ensure compliance with workplace safety and employment standards across all sectors. It plays a key role in tripartite social dialogue through institutions such as the National Economic Development and Labour Council. The department was formed in 2019 through the merger of the former Department of Labour with employment-related functions, consolidating the government's approach to labour market policy and worker protection.