SA making progress in bringing workers into ownership in private sector: Patel Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel held a briefing with CEOs and unions on employee ownership structures ahead of international Workers Day on Saturday. FILE: Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel. Picture: GCIS one day ago JOHANNESBURG - Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel said the country was making progress in bringing workers into ownership and representative structures in the private sector. Patel held a briefing with CEOs and unions on employee ownership structures ahead of international Workers Day on Saturday. The government policy has seen over 150,000 workers become part owners of the companies they work for through shareholding.