Call for Proposals: Labour Service Organisations Training Vulnerable Workers (South Africa)

The South African Department of Employment and Labour is a national government department responsible for promoting decent employment, protecting workers’ rights and supporting fair and safe labour practices across South Africa. Its responsibilities include administering and implementing labour legislation, promoting occupational health and safety, supporting employment services and strengthening awareness of workplace rights. Through programmes involving labour service organisations, the Department works with civil society organisations to improve vulnerable workers’ understanding of labour legislation and available protections. The Department’s labour-related initiatives cover legislation including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Labour Relations Act, Employment Equity Act, Unemployment Insurance Act, COIDA and OHSA.

The South Africa Labour Service Organisations Programme supports registered nonprofit and public benefit organisations with expertise in labour matters to provide training and workshop sessions for vulnerable workers. The programme is designed to improve workers’ understanding of labour legislation, workplace rights, occupational health and safety and compensation for occupational injuries and diseases. Depending on the proposal stream, activities may focus on COIDA and OHSA, or other labour legislation including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Labour Relations Act, Employment Equity Act and Unemployment Insurance Act. Target groups can include domestic workers, farm workers and retrenched workers. Proposed projects should provide practical, accessible and relevant labour-law education.