6 June 2026

The African National Congress Parliamentary Study Group on Employment and Labour warmly welcomes the decisive intervention by Minister Nomakhosazana Meth in the recent retrenchment crisis at retail giant Pick n Pay, which threatened the livelihoods of over 22,000 workers. This intervention, aligned with the expanded mandate of the Department of Employment and Labour focusing on job preservation, reflects a proactive and necessary response to urgent labour market challenges. By stepping in to halt the retrenchments and initiate constructive dialogue, Minister Meth has demonstrated strong leadership in protecting workers’ rights and promoting social stability.

The initial Section 189 notice served by Pick n Pay in May 2026 revealed the company’s intent to restructure and reduce labour costs through measures that included altering Sunday pay, increasing weekend shifts, and introducing greater scheduling flexibility. While these efforts were aimed at restoring profitability, the approach also raised serious concerns regarding job security and fair labour practices. The threat of mass redundancies galvanized trade unions such as SACCAWU and COSATU to threaten industrial action, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the need for urgent government involvement.

Minister Meth’s convening of the key stakeholders integrating top leadership from COSATU, SACCAWU, and Pick n Pay executives provided a critical platform for dialogue. The six-hour engagement session successfully steered the parties toward a consensus to temporarily halt retrenchments and return to collective bargaining with clear timelines. This milestone illustrates the potential of collaborative negotiation in addressing complex employment crises and reinforces the ANC commitment to fostering social dialogue as a cornerstone of labour relations.

While the current negotiations remain sensitive and ongoing, the Study Group applauds the maturity, patriotism, and willingness of all parties to seek mutually acceptable alternatives that preserve jobs. The pause in the CCMA retrenchment process is a significant step that offers hope for sustainable solutions benefitting workers, employers, and the broader economy. This approach exemplifies the delicate balancing act required to safeguard both employment and enterprise.

The ANC Employment and Labour Study Group emphasizes that the work is far from over. It urges all stakeholders to maintain constructive engagement and transparency as they deliberate on cost restructuring and operational efficiencies. Ensuring fair labour practices that guarantees job retention must remain at the forefront of all negotiations. The Department of Employment and Labour’s ongoing commitment to a fair and sustainable outcome is critical for building confidence in the labour market and for the socio-economic wellbeing of South Africans.

In closing, the Study Group reiterates its support for Department, SACCAWU, COSATU    and Minister Meth for their foresight and collective leadership and calls on employers to continue fostering partnerships that align with the ANC’s policy imperatives of job creation, decent work, and inclusive economic growth. This intervention marks a defining moment for labour relations in South Africa and sets a precedent for government’s role in mediating employment challenges with fairness and foresight.

Issued by the Whip of the ANC Study Group on Employment and Labour Comrade Mncedisi Nontsele (MP)

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