MEDIA STATEMENT: FEDUSA CALLS FOR SAFER MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS IN WORKPLACES

MEDIA STATEMENT: FEDUSA CALLS FOR SAFER MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS IN
WORKPLACES

28 April 2026

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) marks World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April 2026 with a call for urgent action to address the psychosocial conditions that are leaving many workers exhausted, anxious and increasingly unable to perform at work and lead healthy lives.

This year’s theme, “Good psychosocial working environments: A pathway to thriving workers and strong organisation,” speaks directly to the workplace realities confronting workers across South Africa. FEDUSA is concerned that workers across sectors are facing excessive workloads, poor role clarity, limited autonomy, weak supervision, digital fatigue, workplace intimidation and the constant pressure to
perform under difficult economic conditions. This is taking a serious toll on workers’ mental wellbeing.

For FEDUSA, occupational health and safety cannot be reduced to physical compliance alone. A workplace cannot be called safe if it protects workers from visible injury while exposing them to burnout, toxic management, chronic stress and emotional harm. Psychosocial risks are workplace risks, and they must be treated with the seriousness they deserve.

At a time when workers are already carrying the burden of rising living costs, long commutes, job insecurity and deep economic pressure, the workplace should not become another source of harm. We believe that good psychosocial working environments require manageable workloads, clear expectations, supportive leadership, meaningful worker participation and workplaces where concerns can be raised without fear.

As part of marking OHS Day 2026, FEDUSA will host a Mental Health and Wellness in the Workplace webinar on 28 April 2026 from 10:00 to 12:00 via MS Teams. You are invited to register and be a part of the conversation.

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