On 11 May 2024, SERI participated in the celebration of ‘30 years of Freedom and Democracy with Domestic Workers’ hosted by the Department of Employment and Labour’s Compensation Fund, under the theme ‘Freedom for All’.The event was held to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of domestic workers and to recognise that since 2020, domestic workers are now protected under the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases (COID) Act 10 of 2022 as amended. The event was held at the Emperor’s Palace in Johannesburg and was attended by over 1000 people including domestic workers and trade union members.
SERI’s Executive Director Nomzamo Zondo delivered a message of support, in which she reflected on the Mahlangu v The Minister of Labour case and the significance of its inclusion of domestic workers under COIDA. She also acknowledged the important role played by the various domestic worker trade unions in spreading awareness to domestic workers about their rights and providing support in instances of labour disputes.
Additional messages of support and solidarity were shared by the Commission for Mediation, Conciliation, and Arbitration (CCMA), the Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA), the National Council of Trade Unions (NACTU), the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU), and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).
At the event, SERI also had a stall where Yongeza Mbimbi and Cheriese Dilrajh distributed approximately 600 factsheets, 150 employer guides, and 150 domestic worker rights guides and had the opportunity to engage with the domestic workers present.