Department of Employment & Labour: The Future of Compliance and Enforcement
Takeaways from the DEL Sessions Attended by GS Elise Coetser and Asst. GS André Fourie
(SA)UEO’s leadership attended critical sessions hosted by the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) in early May, which shed light on the state’s evolving approach to compliance, employment equity, UIF, skills development, and workplace transformation. Here’s what our members and organisers need to know:
1. Inspections Will Increase — and Go Deeper
The Chief Inspectorate highlighted a more integrated and proactive inspection model, especially targeting:
- UIF compliance
- Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) violations
- Employment Equity (EE) transformation efforts
Inspections will now cover multiple areas in one visit, using technology to triangulate data from SARS, UIF, and CIPC filings.
Implication: Members must ensure their house is in order across all compliance areas—especially small businesses that have previously flown under the radar
2. EE Targets: No Longer Optional
The Department confirmed that EE targets will be enforced more strictly as part of the amended legislation, which takes effect in September 2025. Enforcement measures include:
- Spot-checks on submitted EE plans
- Mandatory targets for designated employers
- Increased penalties for non-compliance
Implication: Organisers should guide designated employers to review their EE plans now and ensure targets are realistic and aligned with upcoming thresholds.
3. Beneficial Ownership & Skills Reporting: Siloed No More
DEL officials stressed the importance of cross-checking company ownership structures (especially from CIPC filings) with employment equity and skills development submissions. The message is clear: no more silos.
Implication: Transparency in ownership matters. Organisers must support members in accurately aligning WSPs, ATRs, and EE reports with actual beneficial ownership records.
4. Public-Private Partnerships: Still on the Table
DEL acknowledged the role of intermediary bodies like (SA)UEO in helping bridge the gap between policy and practice. The department is open to:
- Collaborations on training and compliance awareness
- Input from organised business on workplace reform
Action Point: Elise and André will initiate discussions on potential Recalibrate-hosted SME compliance upskilling sessions as a strategic intervention.
5. Digital Systems: No Place to Hide
The Department is upgrading its backend systems to automatically flag discrepancies across:
- UIF contributions
- Skills levies
- OHS declarations
Implication: Members with outdated systems or fragmented HR data risk red flags and penalties. (SA)UEO will explore digital toolkits and partner platforms to support real-time compliance tracking.
Next Steps for (SA)UEO
- Establishing sector-specific compliance guides for organisers and members
- Proposing a Recalibrate Skills Compliance Helpdesk
- Hosting a national webinar on EE Act Amendments and the 2025 inspection roadmap
- Continuing strategic dialogue with DEL to protect SME interests and fair compliance expectations
“These sessions affirmed our role as both a voice and shield for our members. We’re not just here to interpret the law—we’re here to influence how it gets applied.”
— Elise Coetser, General Secretary
