South Africa proposes codification of gender-neutral parental leave and increased severance pay

South Africa has proposed legislative reforms to expand employee protections and enhance statutory employment benefits. Key proposed changes include the codification of the gender-neutral parental leave framework first introduced by the Constitutional Court in 2025 and doubling severance pay from one week’s remuneration to two weeks’ remuneration for each completed year of service. The bill is still undergoing the legislative process and is not yet in force.