Proposed labour reforms will broaden the definition of an “employee” to include gig workers like e-hailing drivers, giving them essential protections such as a minimum wage, paid leave, and the right to collectively bargain.
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Siyanda wakes before sunrise, logging into an e-hailing app, spending the next 10 hours navigating Johannesburg's relentless traffic. The 24-year-old picks up strangers and drops them off across a city that knows not his name. Despite his industrious efforts, he stands without the security of an employment contract, paid leave, medical cover, or even a fallback plan for unexpected situations. His commitment to building a life for himself contributes to the economy, yet, from a legal standpoint, he barely exists.
Siyanda's story is not an isolated case, says Nkosinathi Mahlangu, Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Specialist at Momentum Group Foundation. South Africa is brimming with youth potential, yet millions of young South Africans find themselves navigating the gig economy as delivery riders, informal traders, and freelance workers of all sorts. This is a generation not lacking in ambition but striving to carve out livelihoods in a labour market that has largely left them behind. For many, the gig economy represents the only path available on the career ladder.
In a promising turn of events, earlier this year, the Minister of Employment and Labour unveiled the Employment Laws Amendment Bill and the Labour Relations Amendment Bill, suggesting a transformative change in the country's labour environment. Mahlangu says these legislative proposals aim to broaden the definition of an “employee” to include gig workers, which could entitle them to essential protections such as minimum wage, paid leave, and the right to collectively bargain. If enacted, this would be a landmark development for workers like Siyanda.
However, says Mahlangu, this regulatory advancement raises an important question: Are the young people who depend on the gig economy equipped to take advantage of these newfound rights and protections?
Many young individuals have turned to the gig economy out of sheer necessity due to the scarcity of formal employment opportunities. Unfortunately, most entered this space without adequate training, mentorship, or real work experience, resulting in a unique challenge. This generation of workers stands as entrepreneurial by circumstance, yet significantly underprepared by lack of resources. There are staggering knowledge gaps, says Mahlangu. Many young gig workers remain unaware of their tax obligations, struggle to interpret contracts, and are ill-equipped to handle workplace disputes. Qualities that would have naturally arisen in traditional employment settings, along with a safety net of support, are often absent in the gig environment.
According to Mahlangu, these gaps are solvable, and addressing any deficiency in knowledge begins with education. Labour literacy must form a core component of training initiatives aimed at young people. Educational institutions, particularly Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and schools, need to adapt and prepare students for the future of work by embedding such skills into their curricula. Furthermore, TVET colleges should actively partner with industries to enhance the work-integrated learning experience.
Beyond acquiring soft skills and financial literacy, young gig workers need a solid understanding of their rights as workers, says Mahlangu. This empowerment can significantly reduce vulnerability, instilling confidence and better equipping them to create sustainable livelihoods.
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