Achieving "decent work" in South Africa?
Abstract
The fundamental goal of the International Labour Organisation is the achievement of
decent and productive work for both women and men in conditions of freedom, equity,
security and human dignity. The South African government has pledged its commitment
to the attainment of decent work and sustainable livelihoods for all workers and has
undertaken to mainstream decent work imperatives into national development
strategies.
The four strategic objectives of decent work as identified by the ILO are: i) the
promotion of standards and rights at work, to ensure that worker's constitutionally
protected rights to dignity, equality and fair labour practices, amongst others, are
safeguarded by appropriate legal frameworks; (ii) the promotion of employment creation
and income opportunities, with the goal being not just the creation of jobs but the
creation of jobs of acceptable quality; (iii) the provision and improvement of social
protection and social security, which are regarded as fundamental to the alleviation of
poverty, inequality and the burden of care responsibilities; and (iv) the promotion of
social dialogue and tripartism.
This article considers the progress made towards the attainment of these decent work
objectives in South Africa, using five statistical indicators to measure such progress
namely: (i) employment opportunities; (ii) adequate earnings and productive work; (iii)
stability and security of work; (iv) social protection; and (v) social dialogue and workplace relations. It concludes that high levels of unemployment and a weakened
economy in South Africa have given rise to a growing informal sector and an increase in
unacceptable working conditions and exploitation. The rights of workers in the formal
sector have not filtered down to those in the informal sector, who remains vulnerable
and unrepresented. Job creation initiatives have been undermined by the global
recession and infrastructural shortcomings and ambitious governmental targets appear
to be unachievable, with youth unemployment levels and gender inequalities remaining
of grave concern. Social protection programmes fail to provide adequate coverage to
the majority of the economically active population. Social dialogue processes and
organisational structures fail to accommodate or represent the interests of the informal
sector. Until these problems are overcome, the article concludes, it remains unlikely that
decent work imperatives will be attained.