The Department of Labour hosts the First Meeting of the BRICS Labour and Employment Working Group (LEWG) from the 7th to the 10th May 2018, in Mbombela, Mpumalanga Province.
BRICS is a platform which brings together Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa where they discuss issues of mutual interest in a rapidly changing global environment.
Held under the theme “BRICS in Africa: Developing Countries for Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity in the New Industrial Revolution”, the meeting will be under the headship of the Director General: Thobile Lamati. It will kick off with a keynote address by the Deputy Minister of Labour, Inkosi Phathekile Holomisa.
Sipho Ndebele the Chief Director: International Relations, said the thematic issues under discussion will include Youth employment; Women participation: Equal pay for work of equal value; Social dialogue and tripartism; and Social Protection.
In this regard, the meeting will take stock on progress made in respect to these topics since the labour and employment track was established during the 2014 BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil. This year’s meeting will therefore highlight some of the important issues affecting the labour markets of our respective countries such as the changes driven by technological, globalisation, demographics, social values, et cetera.
The second LEWG meeting will be held at the end of July followed by the BRICS Ministers for Labour and Employment conference. Both events will take place in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
The Government of Mpumalanga, Southern African Development Community (SADC) troika and international organizations such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and International Social Security Association (ISSA) will also be attending the meeting. Delegates from BRICS member states will comprise of government, employer organisations as well as worker organisations.
Enquiries:
Siyabonga P. Hadebe
E-mail: siyabonga.hadebe@labour.gov.za
Cell: 072 675 3081
