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Johannesburg - Labour Minister Nelisiwe Oliphant added her voice to the debate on "decent work" at the annual labour policy conference in Pretoria on Monday.
"Decent employment can only be successful when all stakeholders constantly keep in mind... the context of the South African and global economies, social realities such as poverty, inequality and education levels, and the long-term goals for South Africa, which must be weighed against short-term costs," she told delegates from organised labour - Cosatu, Fedusa and Nactu.
"Our aim is to create a policy framework to promote decent work."
However, she added the "meaning of decent work" should include health and safety conditions of employees.
"When you talk about the workers that are working in a restaurant or a shop or whatever industry... you look at the health and safety under which those workers are working."
She added: "Workers should be trained to use whatever precautionary measures (are needed) when it comes to their own safety.
"A living wage, yes, at a later stage it's going to be part of these things."
President Jacob Zuma in his June 2009 state of the nation address said the "creation of decent workers will be at the centre of our economic policies".
Last week ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe raised the ire of trade federation Cosatu when he said the party would push to create jobs first, then worry about "decent" jobs later.
"Decent employment can only be successful when all stakeholders constantly keep in mind... the context of the South African and global economies, social realities such as poverty, inequality and education levels, and the long-term goals for South Africa, which must be weighed against short-term costs," she told delegates from organised labour - Cosatu, Fedusa and Nactu.
"Our aim is to create a policy framework to promote decent work."
However, she added the "meaning of decent work" should include health and safety conditions of employees.
"When you talk about the workers that are working in a restaurant or a shop or whatever industry... you look at the health and safety under which those workers are working."
She added: "Workers should be trained to use whatever precautionary measures (are needed) when it comes to their own safety.
"A living wage, yes, at a later stage it's going to be part of these things."
President Jacob Zuma in his June 2009 state of the nation address said the "creation of decent workers will be at the centre of our economic policies".
Last week ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe raised the ire of trade federation Cosatu when he said the party would push to create jobs first, then worry about "decent" jobs later.
