NEDLAC REACTS TO LABOUR MARKET COMMISSION REPORT

20 June 1996

Nedlac Executive Director Jayendra Naidoo today welcomed the release of the Labour Market Commission report, saying it provided a valuable input into the debate on economic and labour-market policy and on the challenges facing business, labour and government in South Africa.

"Nedlac is prepared to take on the challenge of negotiating a national accord for employment and growth as recommended in the report," he says.

The role of negotiating positions on issues involving the key stakeholders in the country-business, labour, government and the community-was recognised with the establishment of Nedlac 18 months ago.

"We welcome the Labour Market Commission's comment that Nedlac represents one of the clearest expressions of the nation's commitment to a comprehensive and participatory democracy," he says.

Many of the issues raised in the report are already on Nedlac's agenda, Naidoo says. "It will be our challenge to ensure that Nedlac continues to operate in an effective and efficient manner which will result in concrete agreements between parties being tabled. Discussions on a possible accord on wages, income, prices and investment could build on the social-partnership process."

Ultimately, Naidoo notes, the success of a national accord for employment and growth will depend on the commitment of the social partners.

"Congratulations are also due to the commissioners who have managed to table a consensus report. This in itself strengthens its recommendations and its contribution to securing the degree of trust, cooperation and reciprocity needed by the social partners to draft a possible national accord for employment and growth," Naidoo says.

The detail contained in the report will be carefully studied and debated by Nedlac's four chambers, he says.