NEDLAC's EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AGREES ON PRIORITIES FOR 1999

Nedlac's Executive Council today noted that implementation of agreements reached at the Council, and particularly the Jobs Summit agreements, would be a high priority in 1999. The Council received a written report back onthe work of the Presidential Jobs Summit, indicating the progress that has been made inthe implementation of the various agreements. The role that Nedlac could play in theintegration of Southern Africa was further identified as a priority. It was agreed thatNedlac should use the period in the run-up to the elections to consolidate and strengthen its internal structures.

In terms of the progress towards the appointmentof a new Executive Director, the Executive Council was informed that the overall convenorsplanned to hold interviews for the position by the end of March. Although the end of May1999 Executive Council meeting is targeted as the date for appointing a new ExectiveDirector, authority for this decision was delegated to the Management Committee in the event that the process could be speeded up.

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Alec Erwin,briefed the Council on the latest developments in the negotiations with the European Union. Business, labour and community expressed their support for the position that Government has taken with regards to the issues of port and sherry.

Demarcation applications

The Executive Council supported recommendations on demarcation applications with respect to:

• the Bargaining Council for the Furniture Manufacturing Industry of the Eastern Cape;
• the amalgamating Bargaining Council for the Meat Trade, Gauteng; and
• the Building Industry Bargaining Council (Cape of Good Hope).

With regards to the application for registration of a National Bargaining Council for the Chemical Industry, a report was agreed which would be forwarded to the Minister of Labour for a final decision.

ILO Conventions

The Executive Council recommended the following ILO Conventions for ratification by Parliament:

(a) Convention 144 on tripartite consultation.

(b) Recommendation 146 on minimum age.

(c) Convention 155 on occupational health andsafety.

(d) Convention 174 concerning the prevention ofmajor industrial  accidents.

(e) Convention 176 on safety and health in mines.

Section 77 notices of socio-economic protestaction

The Executive Council received reports on recently received Section 77 notices of protest action:.

A section 77(1)(b) notice of possible protestaction was served by Fedusa over the conditions of the criminal courts and the demandsplaced on public prosecutors. A meeting in terms of section 77(1)(c) of the LRA was heldon 3 February 1999 to consider the matters giving rise to the intended action. At themeeting the parties agreed to establish a subcommittee of the Department of Justice'sDepartmental Bargaining Chamber to prepare a status report on the concerns raised byFedusa. It was agreed that this report would be submitted to Nedlac by 28 February 1999.The task team has subsequently agreed that they will table this by the end of March.

A section 77(1)(b) notice of possible protest action was served by the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (NUPSAW) over the imminent closure of the Derdepoort Hospital by the North-West provincial government. Ameeting in terms of section 77(1)(c) of the LRA was held on 4 February 1999 to consider the matter giving rise to the intended action. At the meeting the parties agreed to set upa technical committee representing all relevant stakeholders to consider a number of matters related to the closure of the Derdepoort Hospital.

A section 77(1)(b) notice of possible protest action has been served by the National Education Health and Allied Workers Union regarding transformation in the tertiary education sector and related matters. A meeting to consider the notice in terms of section 77(1)(c) of the LRA was held on 19 February 1999. A further meeting has been scheduled for 5 March 1999.

Nedlac's 1999/2000 budget

The Executive Council approved Nedlac's budget for 1999/2000. This budget stands at R6.4 million, unchanged from previous years.