The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) urges the Department of Employment and Labour and National Treasury to expedite the recruitment of the pledged 10 000 labour inspectors. The Federation is deeply concerned by delays in government honouring this progressive commitment announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in February 2026.

COSATU appreciates that this is a massive undertaking requiring significant financial allocations, building upon the Department’s current 2 392 labour inspectors and a total departmental headcount of 10 000. 

We are however extremely worried that six months into the financial year, no additional funding has been provided to the Department to provide for these inspectors, no advertisements have been released, no interviews concluded and no persons appointed. 

It is critical that the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) due to be tabled at Parliament at the end of October, provide the necessary funding, including reprioritisation for the current financial year and the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, to enable this progressive commitment of the African National Congress led administration to be implemented.

Whilst appreciating the real financial pressures facing the state, this bold commitment by government will make a game changer difference in the defence of workers’ hard-won rights and to ensure all employers comply with the full spirit and letter of our labour laws. 

Workers should not be expected to tolerate some of the most abusive and exploitative working conditions where some employers blatantly rob workers of their rights to be paid in compliance with the National Minimum Wage, their full benefits, overtime pay, paid maternity and parental leave, work in a safe environment, and to collective bargaining amongst many others.

COSATU will be seeking urgent engagements with the Department and Treasury to ensure the necessary allocations of funds and a recruitment road map is put in place with the MTBPS to be tabled at Parliament in October.

Issued by COSATU

Matthew Parks (COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator)

Mobile: 082 785 0687

Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za