Department Of Labour Law

Department Of Labour Law, Labour law (also known as labor law or employment law) mediates the relationship between workers, employing entities, trade unions and the government. Collective labour law relates to the tripartite relationship between employee, employer and union.

Individual labour law concerns employees’ rights at work and through the contract for work. Employment standards are social norms (in some cases also technical standards) for the minimum socially acceptable conditions under which employees or contractors are allowed to work.

Government agencies (such as the former US Employment Standards Administration) enforce labour law (legislative, regulatory, or judicial).

All About Employees

Acts & Amendments

Read or download labour legislation published as Acts and Amendments to the Acts

Basic Conditions of Employment Act

Applies to all employers and workers and regulates leave, working hours, employment contracts, deductions, pay slips, and termination
Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act

Workers who are affected by occupational injuries and diseases are entitled to compensation
Employment Equity Act

Applies to all employers and workers and protects workers and job seekers from unfair discrimination, and also provides a framework for implementing affirmative action
Labour Relations Act

Applies to all workers and employers and aims to advance economic development, social justice, labour peace and the democracy of the workplace.
Occupational Health and Safety Act

Aims to provide and regulate health and safety at the workplace for all workers.
Skills Development Act

Aims to develop and improve the skills of the South African workforce.
Unemployment Insurance Act No. 63 of 2001

Provides security to workers when they become unemployed.

Basic Guides

Plain English summaries of key topics within labour legislation

Basic Guide to Annual Leave
Rules for annual leave as prescribed by the Basic Conditions of Employment Act
Basic Guide to Deductions
The Basic Conditions of Employment Act allows for deductions from a worker’s pay only under certain conditions.
Basic Guide to Employment Contracts
The Basic Conditions of Employment Act requires that employers give workers certain details of their employment in writing
Basic Guide to Employment Equity Consultations
Consultation Forums must be established at the workplace to dicuss Employment Equity issues.
Basic Guide to Family Responsibility Leave
Under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, workers may take paid leave to attend to certain family situations
Basic Guide to Health and Safety Duties of Workers
All workers must report all health and safety incidents to their employer and the necessarry health and safety parties.
Basic Guide to Maternity Leave
The Basic Conditions of Employment Act gives pregnant workers the right to take maternity leave
Basic Guide to Overtime
The Basic Conditions of Employment regulates overtime working hours and pay for such hours.
Basic Guide to Pay Slips
The Basic Conditions of Employment Act stipulates that employers must give workers certain details each time they are paid.
Basic Guide to Retrenchment
Employers must follow certain procedures when retrenching workers.
Basic Guide to Severance Pay
Disputes regarding severance pay may be referred to the CCMA.
Basic Guide to Sick Leave
Rules for sick leave as prescribed by the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
Basic Guide to Termination
The Basic Conditions of Employment Act stipulates the procedures for termination of an employment contract.
Basic Guide to Trade Unions
Trade unions are necessary for bargaining for workers’ rights and benefits and they regulate industrial relations.
Basic Guide to Unfair Discrimination
No employer may have discriminative policies and practices.
Basic Guide to Unfair Dismissal and Unfair Labour Practices
Every worker has the right to a fair dismissal. Any disputes regarding dismissals may be referred to the CCMA for arbitration.
Basic Guide to Working Hours
The Basic Conditions of Employment Act regulates working hours and rest periods for workers.
Basic Guide to Working on Sundays
The Basic Conditions of Employment prescribes the wages for working on a Sunday.
Worker’s Guide to UIF
All workers must contribute 1% of their pay to the UIF. To claim for benefits certain documents need to be completed and handed in at a labour centre.

How To

Simple step-by step instructions for processes and procedures

How To Claim from the Compensation Fund if you are a Worker

All workers must report all accidents or disease to their employers immediately, and submit forms from their doctor.
How To Join a Learnership if you are a Worker

Workers should ask and encourage employers to start learnerships.

Codes of Good Practice

Codes of Good Practices issued by the Minister

Arrangement of Working Time

Information and guidelines on shift work and night work and their impact on workers’ health and safety
Key Aspects of HIV/AIDS and Employment

The Code’s objective is to provide guidelines for employers, workers and trade unions on how to manage HIV/AIDS within the workplace.

Regulations and Notices

Regulations and Notices promulgated by the Department of Labour

Government Notice earnings threshold

Useful Documents6

Download special reports, guides, and other useful information

Silica exposure and its effect on the physiology of workers