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State Measures Towards Work–Care Integration in South Africa

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Book cover Work–Family Interface in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Due to various factors such as the high prevalence of HIV and AIDS, fragmented family structures, the notable absence of fathers in families and the increased labour force participation of women, South Africa is facing the crisis of care. Despite this issues around the combination of work and care has remained largely absent from the government’s policy agenda. This chapter examines the adequacy of current legislative measures for work–care integration in the country and provides recommendations for change within the legal framework to address work–care integration.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    75 of 1997.

  2. 2.

    63 of 2001.

  3. 3.

    South Africa is classified by the World Bank as an upper middle-income country.

  4. 4.

    The only instance in which the benefits are not reduced is where they have been paid out for maternity leave.

  5. 5.

    Child support grants are provided to primary caregivers over the age of 16 in the amount of R270 per month (from October 2011) if they care for a child under the age of 18 years and if they pass a means test. According to the means test the caregiver’s monthly income must not exceed R31,200 or, if married, their joint income must not exceed R62,400 per month. These grants have been criticised for being cumbersome in terms of application procedures, limited in their application and inadequate in terms of monetary payment and duration (Mpedi 2008; Lund 2009).

  6. 6.

    Recommendation No. 191 (accompanying Convention No. 183 on maternity protection) and Recommendation No. 165 (accompanying the Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 (No. 156)) contain provisions on parental leave and the EU Directive on Parental Leave provides for no less than 3 months parental leave.

  7. 7.

    55 of 1998.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Honorary Research Associate, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

    Lisa Dancaster

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  1. Lisa Dancaster
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Correspondence to Lisa Dancaster .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Human Sciences Research Council, Population Health, Health Systems and InnovationHuman Sciences Research Council of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

    Zitha Mokomane

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Dancaster, L. (2014). State Measures Towards Work–Care Integration in South Africa. In: Mokomane, Z. (eds) Work–Family Interface in Sub-Saharan Africa. International Perspectives on Social Policy, Administration, and Practice. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01237-7_11

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