Labour Law Amendment Bill

The South African Department of Employment and Labour has released the Labour Law Amendment Bill (February 2026) — and the public comment window has just closed. This Bill proposes the most significant labour law reforms in more than a decade, with sweeping implications for HR teams, business owners, and operational leaders.

If you employ people in South Africa, these changes will affect you.

Join Angus Bailie for a clear, practical breakdown of what’s coming, what it means, and how to prepare your organisation before the Bill becomes law.

Key Topics Covered

You’ll gain clarity on the proposed changes to the:

• Labour Relations Act (LRA)
• Employment Equity Act (EEA)
• Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA)

Including critical updates on:

• Expanded definition of “employee”
• Increased protection for non‑standard and gig‑economy workers
• Updated parental leave provisions
• Higher severance pay thresholds
• Stronger enforcement for non‑payment of benefits
• Ensuring employees have a fair opportunity to respond before dismissal
• Possible limits on compensation
• New rules allowing probation to end without a hearing

Who Should Attend

• Business owners
• HR managers & HR officers
• Operations leaders
• Line managers
• Anyone responsible for employee relations, compliance, or organisational risk

What You’ll Walk Away With

• A practical understanding of the Bill’s impact 
• Clear guidance on what to prepare for
• Risk areas to address immediately
• A roadmap for updating policies, contracts, and internal processes
• Confidence to brief your leadership team and staff