BRICS Employment and Labour Ministers meet to deepen collaboration in employment creation and labour market governance
The development of a collaborative effort to boost productivity initiatives and enhance social protection among the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Countries will take centre stage when the Employment Working Group (EWG) and the Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting (LEMM) convene at the Radisson Blu Umhlanga in Durban from 26 -29 September 2023.
Under the tutelage of the Department of Employment and Labour, South Africa will host the last in a series of meetings for the labour and employment stream of the BRICS Countries. The all- encompassing theme of 'Ensuring Decent Work, Dignity and Respect for All' guides the discussions that are aimed at facilitating collaboration in employment creation and labour market governance among the BRICS Partners.
The meetings for the labour and employment stream follow the recent BRICS Leaders' Summit that took place in August 2023. This stream consists of the Employment Working Group (EWG), the BRICS Network of Labour Research Institute and the LEMM. The EWG and the Research Network Forum meetings previously took place in February (Gauteng), May (Port Alfred) and June (Geneva, Switzerland).
In preparation for the LEMM, the Fourth EWG and the BRICS Network of Labour Research Institute meetings will be held on 26 – 27 September 2023. At these gatherings, senior officials and technical experts will consider issues such as the Ministerial Declaration, the Report on Social Protection in BRICS Countries, the BRICS Productivity Platform and ways to strengthen collaboration between the BRICS Countries at the multilateral level.
The EWG and Network of Labour Research Institute meetings will culminate in a two-day Meeting of Ministers on 28 – 29 September 2023, where they will adopt the eThekwini Declaration.
The Ministers are expected to emphasise labour rights, universal access to social protection, skills development and sustainable enterprises to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Moreover, they will seek to deepen collaboration at multilateral forums to shape global labour market policies and agendas. Their efforts align with the call of BRICS leaders to achieve a human-centred recovery and the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
In addition to the BRICS Ministers, Minister Thulas Nxesi also invited his counterparts from Cuba, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Representatives of social partners and international organisations, such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the International Social Security Agency (ISSA) and the African Regional Labour Administration Centre (ARLAC), will also be present. Leaders from the KwaZulu-Natal Province and eThekwini will deliver welcome addresses to international delegates.
The ministers of social development and small business development, as well as senior officials and experts, will also be in attendance.
The media is invited
The Fourth BRICS EWG meeting and BRICS Labour and Employment Minister’s Meeting will be held as follows:
Date: 26-29 September 2023 (LEMM meeting last two days)
Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagoon Drive – Umhlanga, Durban
Time: 09:00 am -16:00 every day
For media RSVPs, contacts:
Lebogang Moloko at 064 848 7840 Lebogang.Moloko@labour.gov.za
Nhlanhla Khumalo at 066 488 0265 Nhlanhla.Khumalo@labour.gov.za
For media enquiries contact:
Teboho Thejane Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 082 697 0694
E-mail: Teboho.Thejane@labour.gov.za
