Labour
Labour refers to the human effort, both physical and mental, applied in the production of goods and services within an economy. It encompasses the workforce across all sectors, from manual workers and skilled tradespeople to professionals and managers. Labour is one of the fundamental factors of production alongside capital, land and entrepreneurship, and represents the aggregate supply of human resources available to employers. The labour market is where workers seek employment and employers seek workers, with wages and working conditions determined by supply, demand, collective bargaining and regulatory frameworks. Labour law governs the relationship between employers, employees, trade unions and government, covering areas such as employment contracts, working hours, health and safety, dismissal procedures, discrimination and collective bargaining rights. In South Africa, labour relations are regulated by legislation including the Labour Relations Act, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the Employment Equity Act, with disputes adjudicated by institutions such as the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and the Labour Court. Trade unions play a significant role in representing workers' interests, negotiating wages and conditions, and influencing policy. Labour issues are central to economic development, social stability and political discourse across Africa, where challenges include high unemployment, informal employment, skills shortages and the transition from resource-based to more diversified economies. The quality, productivity and cost of labour are key determinants of competitiveness and investment decisions for businesses operating on the continent.
Labour Updates
Shared Parental Leave: When the Law Changed Faster Than the Workplace
9th June 2026 When the Constitutional Court introduced shared parental leave in 2025, South Africa celebrated a major equality victory. But inside workplaces,... →
Understanding the legal impact of unsigned employment contracts, and why silence doesn’t mean casual
9th June 2026 In South African labour law, few phrases are thrown around with as much misplaced confidence as: “He never signed a contract, so he’s just a... →
2026 UASA South African Employment Report
27th May 2026 The UASA Employment Report 2026 highlights a South African labour market undergoing significant structural transformation within a constrained... →
Conference of the Left Steering Committee Statement
25th May 2026 From 29 to 31 May 2026, South African organisations of the left will converge at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg for a national Conference of the... →
Annual leave under the BCEA: What employers must grant and what they must pay
12th May 2026 Understanding statutory leave entitlements, accrual, shutdowns, and when leave pay is (and isn’t) owed on termination. The Basic Conditions of... →
New earnings threshold as from 1 May 2026
20th April 2026 Employees who earn more than a certain amount per year (the “earnings threshold”), do not enjoy the same protection under our labour legislation as... →
Decades on, the labour distortions of apartheid persist
By: Econ3x3 14th April 2026 Each year South Africa commemorates Human Rights Day, marking the 1960 Sharpeville massacre, when police opened fire on people protesting against... →
Contractually prohibiting employees from seeking out ‘greener pastures’ contrary to public policy
9th April 2026 A recent decision by the Labour Court provides guidance on the enforceability of contractual provisions that restrict employees from seeking... →
The costs of competing when you shouldn’t
1st April 2026 The applicant urgently approached the Labour Court and sought to enforce a restraint of trade against a former employee who resigned and began... →
Employee Incentives and Phantom Share Schemes in South Africa
31st March 2026 As competition for skilled employees intensifies across South Africa, businesses are increasingly exploring innovative methods to attract, retain,... →
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