Overview 

At Nedlac, negotiations are conducted under four distinct policy work streams; viz. Public Finance and Monetary Policy Chamber; Trade and Industry Chamber; Labour Market Chamber; and the Development Chamber. The outcome of work done in the Task Teams is submitted to the Chamber for consideration and ratification. Once the Task Team report is signed off by the Chamber, it is then tabled at the Management Committee for final consideration and sign off.

Chamber process

The Chamber, where the issue has been tabled, agrees on a process and timeframes to consider the matter. For example a specific negotiating committee may be established or the Chamber may consider the matter itself.

The Chamber must agree at the outset whether the issue is being tabled only for consultation, or negotiations or both. The Chamber Convenors must clarify what kind of work is needed on each issue.

In cases where the issue falls within the terms of reference of more than one Chamber, a joint negotiation committee or Task Team may be established.

There may be circumstances (for example when an issue has a bearing on a package deal such as exemptions for SMMEs and the relation to the LRA) where an issue is escalated to the level of a senior Task Team (such as Chamber Convenors or Overall Convenors). In this case, the issue will not be referred back to the Chamber for sign-off, but will be signed off by the senior parties involved. The Overall Convenors will determine when an issue has to be dealt with in this manner.

There may also be instances where the intervention of the relevant Minister/s may be required. In this case the Government Overall Convenor will take the responsibility to facilitate the Minister's attendance.

The Chamber or Task Team may require technical assistance on issues. In this case the Constituency will be able to bring experts into the negotiating team processes.

Once the process of engagement on the policy has been finalised, a Nedlac report will be prepared for ratification by the relevant Nedlac structures.

In the event that Government indicates that giving effect to the policy requires legislation, Government will table the draft Bill at Nedlac for consideration. Once the engagement on the draft Bill has been finalised, a Nedlac report will be prepared for sign-off by the relevant structures.

The Nedlac report, after sign-off by the relevant Nedlac structures, will be sent to the Minister of Labour and the relevant Minister who will in turn table the Bill in Parliament.