Today, the organization Labour Laws Enforcement (LLE) gathered hundreds of participants and supporters in the city of Overport for the SIYOFESA march. The goal of the action was to demand stricter application of South African labor laws, increased accountability of employers, and better protection of workers' rights.
The peaceful march started at Malls Tiles in Overport, proceeded along Brickfield Road, and concluded on Sparks Road. Organizers stated that the demonstration aims to raise public awareness about workers' rights and employers' legal obligations, as well as to stimulate compliance with labor legislation.
Before the procession began, LLE leadership interacted with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to ensure the event would proceed peacefully, orderly, and legally. In a statement, the organization affirmed its commitment to the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, emphasizing close cooperation with law enforcement to protect participants and the public.
Speaking to the participants, National Coordinator Musa Mkhlongo reiterated the organization's determination to defend workers' rights and ensure the implementation of South African labor laws. He stressed that the march is a legitimate call for full compliance with the laws, holding employers who violate workers' rights accountable, and imposing stricter control over illegal labor practices by the authorities.
Mkhlongo stated that LLE will continue to advocate for the interests of workers until justice, adherence to norms, and dignity are ensured in every workplace in South Africa.
National representative Mtobisi Singa noted that the march is part of the organization's ongoing campaign against labor law violations and for the protection of vulnerable workers. After the procession, LLE members plan to visit local businesses to identify potential violations, including the alleged employment of undocumented foreign nationals and issues related to working conditions, such as minimum wage compliance.
SAPS monitored the march. In a video recording, Mkhlongo discussed with a police officer searching restaurants for illegal foreign workers. The police officer reported that a raid operation would be conducted on Friday at Romans Pizza and Frango’s Peri-Peri on Sparks Road.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has published a new guide clarifying the rules for employee health insurance, while emphasizing that it does not introduce any new obligations for employers.
The guide, released on Thursday, detailed existing procedures and showed how work permit approvals are now electronically linked to health insurance verification. It was clarified that employers cannot obtain or renew a work permit for an employee if that employee lacks valid health insurance coverage. The ministry's digital systems automatically check this status during the application process, which speeds up approvals and simplifies compliance.
The system covers both private and domestic workers. The guide strengthens several key guarantees for employed individuals. Firstly, it is established that the costs for subscription and renewal of insurance fall entirely on the employer, and employees should not contribute any funds towards this. Secondly, the insurance coverage must remain continuous throughout the entire validity period of the work permit and cannot be intermittent. Furthermore, employers are prohibited from canceling the policy during the permit's validity in a way that leaves the employee without coverage at any point of employment. Finally, the policy must comply with the minimum coverage standards set by the authorities.
The national health insurance system for all private sector and domestic workers was completed at the beginning of 2025. This followed a cabinet decision mandating coverage for workers in the northern emirates, based on the existing systems in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Until then, mandatory coverage was only required in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, leaving workers in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah without legal protection.
To facilitate the transition, a basic health insurance package was introduced, with a cost starting from just 320 dirhams per year, covering individuals aged one to 64. The new guide is part of ongoing efforts to create a more transparent and clear regulatory framework. The digital system ensures sustainable health protection for workers and provides greater regulatory compliance, while also protecting the rights of all parties in employment relations and increasing the efficiency of public service delivery.
The president of the Foundation for Business Competitiveness (Fundec) of Mozambique publicly stated the need to establish quality jobs capable of providing income to workers.
This advocacy aims to achieve sustainable growth in wage levels, as the country currently faces low indicators in both employment and productivity.
