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Deputy Minister flags OHS priorities at World OHS Day 2026 — implications for employers and investors

A keynote address by Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya at World Occupational Health and Safety Day 2026 announced by the Department of Employment and Labour. The announcement focuses on occupational health and safety themes and recognises the Day’s significance.

Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya delivered the keynote at World Occupational Health and Safety Day 2026, setting out the government’s focus on workplace health and safety themes for the year. The speech underscored ongoing efforts to reduce workplace injuries and to promote compliance with OHS regulations across sectors.

For investors, the address matters because stronger enforcement and new safety initiatives can affect operating costs, insurance premiums and downtime for companies with poor safety records. Firms that already meet high OHS standards may see competitive advantage, while others could face higher compliance spending or heightened inspection risk.

The Deputy Minister’s remarks are a reminder to monitor labour and safety developments when assessing operational and regulatory risk in South African businesses. Read the full speech and details of the government’s intentions in the original notice: the full announcement.

Source: Department of Employment and Labour