As the curtain fell during the G20 South Africa 2025 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting (LEMM), principals affirmed intention to promote a sustainable, resilient, inclusive, and prosperous future of work
The Ministers committed to building more prosperous economies by fostering a sustainable and resilient workforce, recognising the urgent need to address inequalities and foster fairness in the world of work and ensure decent work.
The LEMM was preceded by a two-day 4th Employment Working Group (EWG) meeting under South Africa’s G20 Presidency in which four priority areas were discussed:
- inclusive growth, job creation and youth empowerment;
- gender equality in the workforce;
- addressing inequality and ensuring fair labour income; and
- social protections and digitalisation for an inclusive future of work.
The LEMM was held under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability: Living and Working in an Unequal World: Ensuring Decent Work and Decent Lives”. The LEMM theme was aligned to that of South Africa’s G20 Presidency: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”.
Presenting the G20 Labour and Employment Ministerial Declaration, EWG Chairperson and Department of Employment and Labour Acting Director General, Jacky Molisane said document was an outcome of extensive work and deliberations of the Employment Working Group over the past months.
The LEM Meeting was attended by over 150 delegates including labour and employment Ministers, from G20 forum members, invited countries, labour, business, the EU, African Union and International Organisations including International Labour Organization (ILO), Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD) and International Social Security Association (ISSA). The two-day LEMM was held in George, Western Cape at the Fancourt Hotel and Country Estate.
In their declaration LEMM said in the face of pervasive transformations and global challenges, brought about by, among others, technological, climate and demographic changes, coupled with geopolitical uncertainty and persistent inequalities, “we reaffirm that economic growth and decent work are essential to building more just, inclusive and resilient societies”.
The Ministers emphasised the importance of protecting labour and human rights while promoting robust labour institutions, effective social dialogue, and international cooperation in shaping equitable labour markets.
“We recognise that promoting decent work, including creating full and productive employment, good quality jobs, and ensuring the adequacy and sustainability of social protection systems, are fundamental for reducing inequality, broadening economic participation and boosting economic growth. Governments, in consultation with social partners, play a central role in formulating and implementing policies in this regard. We reaffirm our commitment to the G20 Policy Priorities to Reduce Inequalities in the World of Work and commit to regularly review relevant trends, policies and programmes,” continued the declaration.
Going forward LEMM recognised the importance of accurate assessment and reporting of national and global social protection coverage in strengthening efforts to attain Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target, urging the ILO and other international organisations to continue strengthening the international framework for social security statistics.
Minister committed to strengthening evidence-based policymaking using disaggregated labour market data, improved monitoring systems and effective tripartite social dialogue.
“We will strengthen collaboration within the G20 and with relevant international organisations, while continuing dialogue with the L20, B20 and other engagement groups to promote a shared agenda for economic growth and sustainable outcomes,” the declaration further reaffirmed commitments made under previous presidencies – to promote well-managed, regular and skill-based migration pathways.
“We call upon ILO and the OECD to complete the feasibility study on the development of international reference classification, including a pilot in key sectors by 2027 and share a progress report in 2026,” Ministers said.
Building on the 2015 Antalya Goal, which sought to reduce the share of young people who are most at risk of being permanently left behind in the labour market by 15% by 2025, the Nelson Mandela Bay G20 Target on Youth Employment aims to enhance integration of youth into labour markets through a holistic and forward-looking approach. The forum committed to reduce the proportion of youth (ages 15-29) not in employment, education, or training (NEET) by a further 5% by 2030.
The Ministers committed to boost the effectiveness of Youth Employment Strategies or Initiatives. Member countries were to engage with the G20 Compact with Africa (CWA) to advance reforms and strategies conducive to the promotion of decent jobs for youth on the continent.
In strengthening the youth skills for future the meeting pledged to equip youth with skills demanded by the labour market by tackling school drop-out; expanding access to work-based learning opportunities; especially in technical and vocational education and Training (TVET), internships, apprenticeships, and similar schemes; providing student orientation and career guidance; and promoting the mental wellbeing of both young women and men.
The principals further committed to strengthen youth entrepreneurship promotion.
“Progress toward the Nelson Mandela Bay G20 Target will be monitored annually through the G20 Youth at Work Reports, produced with the technical assistance of the ILO and OECD,” the declaration said.
Molisane said the document was shaped over four technical meetings held in Gqeberha, Umhlanga, Geneva and George.
“The Declaration reaffirms our collective commitment to social justice, decent work, and resilient labour markets in the face of global challenges – including technological disruption, demographic shifts, climate change and growing inequality. It acknowledges that achieving just and inclusive societies requires strong labour institutions, effective social dialogue, and international cooperation.
“Ministers reaffirm their commitment to protecting workers in non-standard and platform, in line with international labour standards. The Declaration also encourages further work on measuring global social protection coverage and tracking progress against SDG target,” she said.
Molisane further said: “Ministers agree to deepen collaboration on four priority pillars.
“This Declaration is both a reaffirmation of past commitments and a step forward in shaping a fairer future of work. It represents the consensus of our technical experts, informed by extensive consultations with social partners and international institutions. I submit it for your formal consideration and adoption,” Molisane said.
The G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Declaration is expected to be submitted to leaders in preparation for the November Summit.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Teboho Thejane Departmental Spokesperson
082 697 0694/ teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za
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Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour