Report on Delivery to Women

14. LABOUR

Achievements For South African Women

Policies and Legislation:

• Labour Relations Act (1995) was extended to cover the public service in 1996 to state that ‘no-one may be discriminated against on the basis of family responsibility, marital status or sexual orientation.’ The Act also now covers vulnerable sectors, including domestic workers.
• Employment Equity Bill (1997): Employment Equity legislation aims to increase the representation of women in decision-making positions in both the public and private sector.
• Basic Conditions of Employment Act (1997) was extended to cover domestic workers. It also addresses the special needs of pregnant, lactating and disabled women by preventing dismissal or denial of employment on these grounds. It requires that alternative work be made available during pregnancy and for 12 months after the birth. The Bill extends protection to workers who are temporary or in part-time posts (which affects women).
• SA rejoined International Labour Organization and SA has ratified a number of ILO Conventions:
• The Skills Development Act identifies women as a group that requires focused skills development for entry into and advancement within the open labour market. Two units have been established to ensure that women are beneficiaries of this initiative. The aim is to increase the extent of vocational training in SA. The Act redefines training beyond formal institutions and this will benefit women who are less likely than men to find themselves in formal work situations.

Programmes and Activities

• The Department’s five-year programme includes elimination of racial and gender imbalances in workplaces throughout the economy - women have benefited from a number of training schemes.
• The Public Works programme targets women for employment.
• There are a number of training initiatives by the Department, which will benefit a number of industries in which women predominate.
• Special Employment Programmes (target groups): A sub-directorate has been established within the Department and a budget is being developed as well as a business plan with performance indicators to ensure target groups get focussed attention.
• The Department plans to address the female student dropout rates, combat violence against women and sexual harassment, and train women to co-ordinate work and family life.
• Employment services are offered which include life skills; self help programmes, employment counselling, and placement. As a result women have been successfully placed in traditionally male jobs like motor mechanics, crane driving, painting, bricklaying and carpentry.
• Mpumalanga Employment Services is involved in the Presidential Flagship Programme where over 100 women have been trained in skills ranging from garment making to running their own businesses. The Department is helping some of them to secure contracts with schools and companies.
• The employment counselling division submits articles to magazines on topics such as ‘How to deal with sexual harassment in the workplace.’