UCT Sustainability and the SDGs 2022 - Magazine - Page 21
SDG 8
DECENT
WORK AND
ECONOMIC
GROWTH
In 2015, in response to pressure from students and staff, UCT
abolished outsourcing for its critical services. This meant
the university absorbed workers from companies providing
security, cleaning, catering and groundskeeping. While some
ad-hoc services are still outsourced the institution has strict
controls in place and does not tolerate unfair labour practices
in outsourced services.
UCT also has an independent Ombuds Of昀椀ce and structured
appeal mechanisms to ensure that staff and students have
access to impartial resolution processes for disputes, unfair
treatment or grievances, that tackled by the UCT Ombud in
By combining robust employment
policy, inclusive labour relations and
accessible dispute procedures, UCT
aims to foster a work environment
that supports staff wellbeing and
productivity. These efforts contribute
to SDG 8, by promoting decent work
for all and supporting sustainable
institutional growth.
2024 for instance was the issue of staff grievances around
appointments and succession planning. The Ombud found
Research and Innovation
Investigating the economic impact of South Africa’s
Presidential Employment Stimulus programme
that while UCT demonstrates a fundamental investment in
continuity and stability. The Ombuds Of昀椀ce provided the
Unemployment and low economic growth have been a
its staff’s learning and development, the practical execution
institution with a list of observations and recommendations
consistent challenge in South Africa. The 2020 COVID-19
unemployment rates in the world, particularly among
of succession planning remains insuf昀椀cient. The university
to overcome these challenges.
pandemic and associated lockdowns exacerbated these
young people, alongside sluggish economic growth.
must prioritise understanding its needs as an academic
challenges, and in response, the South African government
This poses a major challenge to achieving inclusive and
institution and develop its employees’ capacities to ensure
launched a collection of public employment programmes,
South Africa continues to face one of the highest
sustainable development.
Community engagement
Institutional initiatives
Job shadowing programme for
underserved learners
including the Presidential Employment Stimulus, which was
extended into 2024. By December 2023, these programmes
had directly created 1.8 million jobs, though mostly temporary
positions in public employment programmes.
In 2024, UCT’s 100UP programme, an initiative that targets
UCT’s Southern Africa Labour and Development Research
Ensuring a fair, safe and digni昀椀ed place of work
learners from disadvantaged backgrounds and coaching them
Unit (SALDRU) was commissioned by the South African
Recognising that change begins at home UCT is committed to
towards university access and to make considered career
Presidency to assess how much the programme’s spending
creating a workplace where dignity, fairness and opportunity
choices, incorporated a job shadowing initiative. In collaboration
stimulates economic activity in local communities and
are central. UCT supports active collective bargaining for
with the Western Cape Property Development Forum and
nationally, essentially how effectively it supports job creation
both academic and administrative staff through recognised
the Youth in Property Association, Grade 12 learners spent
and higher incomes beyond the programme itself.
unions, ensuring employees have a voice in decision-making
two days exploring careers in the built environment through
Their 昀椀ndings were positive: the programme likely supports
and in shaping their working conditions. The university has
on-site and of昀椀ce-based experiences. Workshops entailed
broader economic activity and these effects partly persist after
introductory presentations by various professionals outlining
the programme ends. Participants’ spending on locally produced
careers in the built environment, followed by a vibrant and
goods propelled value chains that employ local labour, helping
highly interactive Q&A/networking session with the learners.
the money recirculate within the South African economy.
strict policies in place to combat discrimination, based on
race, gender, disability or orientation, re昀氀ecting its core
values of equity and inclusion.
42 - Sustainability and the SDGs 2024
UCT Ombud,
Nashira Adams.
Sustainability and the SDGs 2024 – 43
