ManagementCommittee Meeting Outcomes

Nedlac's Executive Council to focus on jobs summit agreements and their implementation

It was confirmed at Nedlac's management committee meeting today that the Minister of Trade and Industry, Alec Erwin, would lead a focus session at the 4 December Executive Council meeting on the jobs summit agreements and their implementation. The Supervisory structure will meet on 3 December to consider the finalisation of the working structure under Nedlac's auspices to monitor implementation. It will also discuss the various matters referred to post-summit processes and consider the development of an implementation plan.

Other issues at today's meeting of the ManagementCommittee included:

Nedlac report on the Unemployment Insurance Amendment Bill.

This report was ratified by the Committee and will now beforwarded to the Minister of Labour. The Bill ensures, amongst other things, that the Unemployment Insurance Fund legislation reflects the provisions of the Basic Conditions ofEmployment Act. The Bill will be considered in Parliament next year.

Demarcation applications

The management committee supported the recommendation that applications be approved for:

• The registration of the South African Carpet Manufacturing Bargaining Council
• The amalgamation of the National Bargaining Council for the Clothing Manufacturing Industry; and
• The amalgamation of the National Bargaining Council for the Electrical Industry of South Africa.

(Demarcation refers to the way in which companies aregrouped together in an industry or sector for bargaining purposes.)

Medical Schemes Bill

After their failed court application regarding the Medical Schemes Bill, Business South Africa wrote to the Executive Director of Nedlac, JayendraNaidoo, and requested that he facilitate a meeting with the Minister of Health, Dr Nkosazana Zuma. Progress on this issue was reported to the Management Committee. Following discussions between the Executive Director and the Minister, a meeting is being scheduled for early December. Whilst the Bill has gone through parliament already, the purpose of the meeting is to seek constructive dialogue on the matter through information exchange and identifying areas of concern, which the meeting could then agree how to address further.

Ends.