THE CONVENORS' COLUMN

Phillip Dexter, Executive Director of Nedlac, writes:

It looks as though 2002 is going to be a busy year for Nedlac. For some time now, there has been discussions within the Nedlac constituencies about finding a way to begin to reach agreement on key strategic issues, such as how to promote growth, investment, create jobs and improve the quality of lives of all South Africans. These discussions are beginning to concretise, as the constituencies express the need to reach a series of key agreements.

A recent study tour to Ireland, the Netherlands and Switzerland undertaken by representatives of the Millennium Labour Council, which I was privileged to join, confirmed to us the comparative advantage that social dialogue has afforded those countries. The trip brought into sharp relief the fact that the co-ordination of social dialogue continues to be a key challenge for the Nedlac constituencies.

I was also able to meet representatives of the Flemish socio-economic council, SERV, and the French socio-economic council, as well as attend the International Association of Socio-Economic Councils and Similar Institutions in Paris. Nedlac has an important role to play in the African, and international arena of social dialogue.

As a secretariat, we look forward to a year of hard work in helping business, Government, Labour and Community engage seriously and constructively on issues of key national interest.