Interpreting the Right to Work and its Application in the South African Legal Framework

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2024/v27i0a13857

Keywords:

work, state obligations, decent work, discrimination, minimum wage, social assistance

Abstract

The article discusses the right to work within the context of South Africa. South African law, at present, does not provide for a right to work as provided for by the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). Implementing the right to work might address the high unemployment rate in South Africa and it is concerning that the right to work has not yet been considered as potential solution. The aim of the article is to interpret the right to work through the interpretive lens of the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The article discusses the obligations created by the ICESCR and the progress the government of South Africa has made to meet the state obligations relating to the right to work as provided by the ICESCR. The article concludes with a comprehensive definition of the right to work and suggests that the government of South Africa, adopt the right to work immediately as a means to avoid further hardship partially caused by the lack of a rights framework guaranteeing the right to work in South Africa.

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Author Biography

  • Kim-Leigh Loedolf, University of the Western Cape

    Associate Lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of the Western Cape

References

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Published

13-03-2024

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Loedolf, K.-L. (2024). Interpreting the Right to Work and its Application in the South African Legal Framework. Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, 27, (Published on 13 March 2024) pp 1-29. https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2024/v27i0a13857

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