Executive Council Meeting
22 February 2002
Nedlac's first Executive Council meeting of the year held
discussions on the 2002/2003 budget, and also discussed the way
forward in terms of reaching agreements on key issues of national
interest.
The Minister of Finance, Trevor Manuel, Deputy Minister of
Finance, Mandisi Mpahlwa, Director-General of the National
Treasury, Maria Ramos and Commissioner for SARS, Pravin Gordhan led
the government team. Labour's delegation was led by the General
Secretary of Cosatu, Zwelinzima Vavi, the General Secretary of
Sactwu, Ebrahim Patel, and Chez Milani of Fedusa. The business
delegation was led by Professor Raymond Parsons, Sabelo Macingwane,
CEO of SAFCOC, and Kevin Wakeford, CEO of SACOB. The community
delegation was led by Khulu Mbongo of the South African Youth
Council, and included representatives from the Disabled, Women,
Youth, Co-operatives and Civics sectors.
"Although time constraints did not allow for a completely wide
ranging discussion on the budget, parties were able to give inputs
directly to the Ministry and senior government officials, which was
useful, " said Executive Director, Phillip Dexter.
The parties agreed that the first meeting of the Public Finance
and Monetary Policy Chamber would be a workshop to look into the
details of the budget and hold discussions on those issues which
were flagged for further in today's meeting.
The Executive Director presented a synopsis of the process of
engagement on the key issues identified by Nedlac, including
investment, growth, job creation and reduced unemployment, greater
social equity, improved economic efficiency and productivity and
the extension and improvement of basic services. The constituencies
agreed that in the light of the heightened activity around these
issues, including the proposed Growth and Development Summit to be
held later in the year, Nedlac would have to focus on ensuring that
the constituencies engaged on these issues in a thorough and
inclusive manner. The need for the more effective coordination of
social dialogue was firmly expressed and the constituencies
committed to ensuring their support for this objective. Specific
task teams on the issues identified will be established and the
secretariat would ensure that the number of summits and meetings
was rationalised and streamlined to ensure the optimal
participation of the constituencies.
Labour presented an input on rising food prices, especially the
price of maize. The parties jointly expressed their concern
regarding the impact that these increases were having on the poor.
They agreed that the Nedlac parties should interact with a task
team that government has set up, headed by the Ministers of
Agriculture and Trade and Industry, in order to ensure that the
discussion of the issues is fast-tracked.
Issued by Nedlac
Johannesburg
Jennifer Wilson
Communications Coordinator
Nedlac
(011) 482-2511
fax: 482 4650