1. WHAT PROTECTS OUR WORKERS?
Questions for learners:
Ask the learners to answer the question on the slide. They should at least be able to mention the Bill of Rights or the Constitution which introduces the next slide.
An overview of the most important labour laws in South Africa

2. SOUTH AFRICA’S CONSTITUTION – Chapter 2 The Bill of Rights
This includes:
The right to privacy, dignity, equality and life
The right not to be subjected to forced labour
The right to choose your trade, occupation or profession
The right to fair labour practices
The right to strike and join trade unions
Questions for learners:
Does everyone in the world have rights?
Are everyone’s rights protected by law like they are in South Africa?
What other rights in the Bill are relevant to the workplace?

3. THE LABOUR RELATIONS ACT
This promotes:
Correct procedures for solving disputes in the workplace
Employee participation in decision making
Questions for learners:
What do you think about workers striking?
What important responsibilities go hand in hand with the right to strike?
What are the responsibilities of employees or employers when a disagreement or dispute or rights violation occurs in the workplace?
This regulates:
the rights of workers to join trade unions
Their right to strike

4. THE EMPLOYMENT EQUITY ACT
This Act:
Forbids discrimination in the workplace
Aims to redress past discrimination
Regulates medical and psychological testing in the workplace
Requires employers to prepare employment equity plans
Question for learners:
In light of our country’s past, why do you think an Act such as this one is so important?

5. THE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT ACT
This Act aims to:
develop and improve the skills of the South African workforce
Questions for learners:
Why do you think we need laws about developing skills?
Why is it so important that we continue to develop the skills and knowledge of our country’s workforce even after they have qualified or obtained a degree?

6. THE BASIC CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT ACT
This includes laws about:
Job contracts & job descriptions
Work hours
Leave
Meal breaks / rest periods
The legal age to start working
When you may be dismissed (fired)
Questions for learners:
Why are job contracts so vital?
What different types of leave are there?
Why do you think it is so important to have laws about matters as small as meal breaks?
Do you know what the Act says about any of the bullets on this slide?