GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT (GDS)
IMPLEMENTATION
17 October 2003
Nedlac's Management Committee today agreed on a framework to
guide the way in which constituencies report progress in
implementing the Growth and Development Summit agreements. Monthly
reports will be drawn up showing those areas where there has been
progress, but a more comprehensive report will be tabled quarterly
at Nedlac's Executive Council meetings.
Already there has been progress reported on some of the
agreements. For example, there was an agreement that the
constituencies would mount a joint campaign to increase public
awareness before the submission of Employment Equity Plans in
October. This was done, with the result that the submission of
Employment Equity Plans has increased significantly.
On learnerships, the agreement also commits constituencies to a
joint marketing campaign on learnerships. This includes a jointly
signed letter to be sent to all employers on the SARS database, to
promote business taking on learners. The letter has been prepared,
and is in the process of being sent out.
Some issues were already on the table, but have received renewed
impetus from being part of the GDS agreements. The Management
Committee noted that a joint committee between the Development and
Trade and Industry Chambers is in the process of drafting a report
on the Co-operatives Development Policy and Bill. Support for
co-operatives is an important element of the GDS agreement.
The agreement to hold Sector Summits was contained in the
Presidential Jobs Summit agreement in 1998, and Nedlac has already
hosted several. The resolve to strengthen the sector-based approach
was confirmed in the GDS, and Nedlac will continue to co-ordinate
the sector summits as they come on board. The Management Committee
noted that processes are currently underway for summits in the
Metals and Engineering, Construction and Chemicals sectors, with
possible summits in the services and agriculture and
agro-processing sectors. A post-summit process in the Information
and Communication Sector is continuing.
The Management Committee noted also that various Provinces,
including the Western Cape and Free State, are now holding
provincial Growth and Development Summits, and that it would be
important to ensure that there is liaison between Nedlac and these
processes.
Under the GDS Agreement, constituencies committed to
strengthening their representation on SETA boards. In view of this
commitment, Business tabled a request at the Management Committee
meeting that Government look into the issue of personal indemnity
for representatives on statutory bodies in terms of liabilities
that the Public Finance Management Act places on such board
members. Government undertook to report back on the issue.
On the issue of communication, Cosatu reported that it had
distributed the agreement to all delegates at the recent Congress,
while Government had distributed it at its Skills Development
Summit. A communications task team has been set up to further
discuss how the information about what is being achieved, and the
impact that it is having, can be disseminated as widely as
possible.
Christmas campaign The GDS agreement commits the constituencies
to mounting an extensive campaign over the 2003 Christmas period to
encourage consumers to buy local. The Management Committee noted
that Proudly South African had tabled a proposal for the roll-out
of this campaign, and that certain constituencies had already begun
to direct their activities towards it. For example, SACTWU 's Cape
Town Fashion Festival from 1-7 December would encourage consumers
to buy local for Christmas.
Nepad and the AU
The Management Committee agreed that as part of Nedlac's
commitment to the AU and Nepad Programme, it would launch a project
to promote social dialogue on the African continent.
Section 77 notice tabled by Sactwu
In a separate meeting at Nedlac this afternoon, Nedlac's
Standing Committee on Section 77 notices held its first meeting to
consider the notice tabled by the Southern African Clothing and
Textile Workers' Union, SACTWU, regarding job losses in the
clothing, textiles and footwear industries. A further meeting will
be held on 29 October.
Contact Jennifer Wilson 083 652 8524