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Millenium Labour Council
Over the past few years, business and organised labour have
engaged each other to find solutions to some of the critical social
and economic challenges facing the country. This engagement,
involving senior leaders from both constituents, started with a
joint study tour to Holland, Ireland and later to the International
Labour Organisation (a United Nations agency) in Switzerland.
Regular and intense discussions were held to reflect on experiences
elsewhere and on local challenges, including on unemployment,
economic growth and social inequities.
These discussions led to the formation of the MLC
and the Millennium Agreement.
The Millennium Labour Council furthermore agreed to contribute
to the creation of an environment that will promote the growth of
the South African economy and the raising of living standards for
all.
History and Objectives
In July 2000, the following agreement was signed by Zwelinzima
Vavi representing labour, and Leslie Boyd representing
business:
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Millenium Agreements
South African business and labour, following visits to Eire and
Holland, and after numerous discussions, agree to establish a
bilateral structure known as the Millennium Labour Council.
They agree:
- The current unemployment, job losses and lack of job creation
constitute a deepening crisis in South Africa that requires urgent
action.
- Current levels of poverty and inequality are unacceptable and
new initiatives are needed to promote improved quality of life and
decent work for all.
- The Millennium Labour Council is to comprise twelve members
each from the business and trade union constituencies.
- The Millennium Labour Council will be associated with NEDLAC as
a bilateral council and will operate with full policy
autonomy.
- The objective of the Council is to develop a shared analysis of
the crisis and potential solutions to be pursued with government
and NEDLAC, as appropriate.
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Representing LABOUR
Zwelinzima Vavi
|
Representing BUSINESS
Leslie Boyd (now Bobby Godsell)
|
7 July 2000, Johannesburg |
The Launch
The Inaugural meeting of the Millennium Labour Council was held
at Gallagher Estate, Midrand on 7 July 2000. The Millennium Labour
Agreement between South African business and labour was signed on
that day, and speeches were delivered by Zwelinzima Vavi, Leslie
Boyd and President Thabo Mbeki.
Operational Guidelines
1. Structure and Operation
1.1 The Council will generally consist of twelve a side, with
joint chairs - one on each side.
1.2 Discussions in the Council will be confidential and agreements
will be made public.
1.3 The Council will meet at least once per quarter.
2. Administration and Finance
2.1 The Council will constitute sub-committees and will employ
administrative and research staff as required. In the initial
period the International Labour Organisation will be requested to
provide administrative and technical support.
2.2 The parties to the Council will seek a regular subsidy from
NEDLAC to help defray the cost of its operation. This builds on the
precedent in NEDLAC of providing funding to associated
institutions, such as the National Labour Secretariat, and through
the NEDLAC capacity building fund.
MLC Resource Persons & documents
The purpose of the MLC is to engage in social dialogue to
explore both common interests and promote common action between
business and labour in South Africa. The MLC produces documents to
this end.
The Co-Chairs of the Millennium Labour Council, Bobby Godsell
for Organised Business and Zwelinzima Vavi for Organised Labour,
have allocated resource persons to write documents on behalf of the
MLC. This task team currently consists of four people. There is
only one employee of the MLC and that is the professional
assistant, Michal Baruch.
Contact
Information
MICHAL BARUCH
(Professional Assistant)
Tel: +27 (0) 11 328 4226
Fax: +27 (0) 11 447 6053
Cell: +27 (0) 83 3849992
E-mail: mlc@mweb.co.za
Physical address: 14A Jellicoe Avenue, Rosebank, 2196
Postal address: P O Box 1775, Saxonwold, 2132