The construction sector in South Africa faces a major challenge: the need to upskill its workforce to guarantee decent and sustainable jobs. The importance of the concept of “decent work” is crucial for the economic and social development of the country. Indeed, work should not just be a means of subsistence, but also a driver of personal dignity, social stability and job creation.
To achieve decent jobs, it is crucial that workers benefit from favorable conditions. This has benefits for both employers and employees, as it limits labor turnover, promotes the transition from informal to formal work, increases productivity and creates a safer construction sector.
The construction sector in South Africa, which encompasses a significant portion of the building industry, is an important player in job creation and influences many other sectors such as manufacturing, mining, transport , real estate and commercial services. It represents 8% of total registered employment, with a share of 2.5% of nominal GDP.
However, it is important to note that almost 70% of jobs in the construction sector are classified as semi-skilled, low-skilled or unskilled.
In 2022, the governments of South Africa and Switzerland, in partnership with the International Labor Organization (ILO), officially launched the ILO Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work programme. This program identifies the root causes of decent work gaps and develops capacity and local and national actions to address them.
However, the reality is that discussions with stakeholders in the informal sector are not always possible, which can lead to their exploitation.
It is imperative to emphasize the importance of increasing the skills of the construction sector workforce to guarantee decent jobs. The decline in skilled personnel, particularly artisans, puts the sector at risk and must be addressed systematically to ensure that the sector attracts and retains recognized qualified employees.
For employees in the construction sector to benefit from advantageous working conditions, it is essential to focus on four pillars:
The first pillar is “productive employment and sustainable enterprise”, which results in a workforce composed of a core team with the skills required to contribute productively to construction activities. New entrants to the sector will also have learning opportunities.
The second pillar, “standards and fundamental rights at work”, focuses on collective bargaining which provides a platform for all labor stakeholders to engage in discussions aimed at improving minimum wages at the industry level, thus ensuring that labor costs are standardized.
The third pillar, “social security and/or social protection for all,” involves industry-level negotiations to improve wages and benefits for employees at all levels, even those at the lowest level. In contrast, workers recruited from the roadside are likely to be paid exploitative wages and receive no benefits.
The fourth and final pillar, “the promotion of social dialogue, including collective bargaining”, highlights the mandate of bargaining councils with regard to the prevention and resolution of conflicts.
Employers also have a responsibility to create favorable conditions for promoting the decent work agenda. This can be done by providing robust employment opportunities, respecting labor rights in accordance with labor laws, respecting the collective bargaining process, and communicating effectively with employees.
Furthermore, the public, comprising all stakeholders in society who benefit from and influence the labor market in the construction industry, can contribute to the promotion of decent work in various ways. They can provide work to employers registered with official trading boards, following ethical labor practices, including favoring companies that treat their employees well.
They can also support policies and regulations that protect workers’ rights, such as fair wages, benefits, reasonable work hours, and safe working conditions.
Other ways the public can contribute include supporting financial institutions and investment funds that prioritize ethical practices. Stakeholders should also be prepared to pay fair prices for services and construction projects, understanding that reduced costs often come at the expense of decent wages.
Government initiatives to improve working conditions and promote decent work should be supported, while collaborations with non-profit organizations, such as a formal bargaining council, can have a considerable impact