Build One South Africa (BOSA) welcomes the growing national support for the Fair Pay Bill, with nearly 3 000 written public submissions already received in support of the legislation ahead of the closing date for public participation in just 10 days’ time.
This strong public response demonstrates that South Africans are demanding a fairer, more transparent labour market that rewards people based on their skills, qualifications, and contribution – not on what they were previously paid or where they come from.
The Fair Pay Bill has struck a particular chord with young South Africans, graduates, first-time job seekers, and those on the fringes of the labour market who too often face exploitative hiring practices, lowball salary offers, and opaque recruitment processes that lock them into cycles of underpayment.
The Bill, championed by BOSA in Parliament, seeks to amend the Employment Equity Act through three key reforms. (1) Ending salary history discrimination, (2) introducing mandatory salary transparency in job advertisements, and (3) strengthening equal pay for equal work protections.
At its core, the legislation aims to ensure that workers are paid according to their value, experience, and abilities rather than historical disadvantages or arbitrary salary benchmarks.
With public submissions closing at the end of May, BOSA urges South Africans – particularly young people entering the workforce or struggling to break into it – to make their voices heard while there is still time.
There are three ways to participate:
- Members of the public can submit their comments on the Bill via email at info@fairpaybill.co.za or through the online submission form available at Fair Pay Bill website.
- South Africans are also encouraged to sign the national petition in support of the Bill, available at Fair Pay Bill petition. The petition will form part of BOSA’s formal submission to Parliament.
- Citizens are further encouraged to directly contact their Members of Parliament and urge them to support the Bill through the tool available at Contact your MP tool.
BOSA will continue engaging stakeholders, political parties, and the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour to build broad support for the Bill as it progresses through Parliament.
The overwhelming response so far shows that South Africans are ready for a labour market built on fairness, dignity, and equal opportunity.
Media Enquiries:
Roger Solomons
BOSA Spokesperson
072 299 3551