First Management Committee Meeting

At its first meeting of 2001, Nedlac's ManagementCommittee today received reports and deliberated on a number of existing and new issues onNedlac's work programme.

New issues on the agenda for 2001 include thepublication of a quarterly bulletin of socio-economic and development indicators,compiling indicators from a variety of different sources. The first edition is targetedfor March.

The Community Constituency tabled a proposal fora summit on the transformation and diversification of the Financial Sector. It was agreedthat this would be one of the series of sector summits currently underway.

A proposal to hold a conference on globalisationand the South African economy was approved. The conference is targeted for the third orfourth quarter of 2001.

The Committee approved Nedlac's schedule of datesfor 2001. The first meeting of the Executive Council is set for 23 February, and theAnnual Summit is set for 1 September.

The Management Committee discussed thegovernment's taxi recapitalisation programme. Government gave an assurance to labour thatthe criterion of local content was a factor in the appointment of suppliers of the newvehicles.

The Committee noted that the Standing Committeeon Section 77s had not been able to meet prior to its meeting, and requested that ameeting be convened as soon as possible. A meeting is being planned for next week.Cosatu's notice regarding proposed amendments to the Labour Relations Act, BasicConditions of Employment Act and the Insolvency Act, which was tabled on 21 December 2001,would be discussed at that meeting.

Progress made towards achieving the goals set outin the declaration at the 2000 summit was discussed. The Management Committee reaffirmedthe need for the four-a-side meeting of senior leaders agreed to at the summit to takeplace as soon as possible.

The first official chamber meetings for the yearare due to take place next week, where they will discuss their agendas for 2001. The Tradeand Industry Chamber met yesterday with the Minister of Trade and Industry to discusspriorities for the work of the chamber in 2001. Other issues on its agenda include theplastic bag regulations and the draft Mineral Development Bill. The Development Chamber isconsulting with stakeholders on the possibility of holding a civil society summit. ThisChamber will also continue to focus on education and social security, amongst otherissues. The Labour Market Chamber has the amendments to the labour laws on its agenda,amogst other issues. The Public Finance and Monetary Policy Chamber will adopt its workprogramme for the year at its meeting on 25 January.