Labour Market Chamber Activities

Completed

ILO Conventions

The conventions of the International Labour Organisation promote the improvement of social conditions for working and vulnerable people throughout the world. Once a government has ratified an ILO convention it is obligated to give effect to the convention through policy and legislation.

During 1999 / 2000, Nedlac supported the ratification of ILO Convention 182 by Parliament concerning the elimination of the worst forms of child labour. This convention promotes the importance of:

• Free basic education.
• The need to remove the children concerned from all hazardous work as defined in the convention.
• Providing for the child's rehabilitation and social integration while addressing the needs of their families.

Nedlac has supported the ratification of 14 ILO conventions by Parliament.

Nedlac and the ILO

Nedlac's business (BSA), labour and government constituencies are active and influential members of the ILO. They are represented on the Governing Body of the ILO and are participants in a variety of Working Parties including the Working Party on the Social Dimensions of the Liberalisation of International Trade. Vic van Vuuren, business convenor of the Labour Market Chamber, noted, at Nedlac's Annual Summit, that "the common understanding developed through dialogue with the other social partners in Nedlac has enabled South African business to play a prominent role within the ILO". Social dialogue within Nedlac forms an important foundation for constituencies' engagement with regional and international institutions.

Ongoing

International Migration

International migration has long been a feature of development in the Southern African region. Further migration forms an integral part of the overall process of global and regional integration currently experienced by South Africa.

A White Paper on International Migration was published in April 1999 and a draft immigration bill was published in February 2000. Cosatu has requested that the Labour Market chamber consider this issue.

Implementation of the Labour Relations Ac
Amendment to section 154 of the LRA

Section 154 of the LRA establishes conditions for the tenure, remuneration, terms and conditions of appointment of Labour Court judges. The Nedlac parties are currently considering the status of judges appointed to the Labour Court.

Jobs Summit Implementation: Social Security

In the context of large-scale unemployment and poverty, the development of a social security system is central to ensuring the social and economic livelihoods of households.

The Presidential Jobs Summit agreed to the development of an effective, comprehensive social security system. Such development will follow a review of the current system and a planning process to establish the new system.

The social security task team is currently considering a research agenda to contribute to the establishment of a comprehensive social security system.

Unemployment Insurance Bill

The Unemployment Insurance Bill and the Unemployment Insurance Contributions Bill are aimed at replacing the current Act.

The Bills were tabled by government in March 2000 and considered by a task team of the labour market chamber.

Sector Demarcation for Collective Bargaining

The Labour Relations Act Section 29(8) requires Nedlac to consider applications to register and to vary the scope of bargaining and statutory councils and to demarcate the appropriate sector and area in which such councils should be registered.

During the previous year Nedlac considered nine applications for sector demarcations, which were all supported:

• Two applications for variation of scope of registration of the Hairdressing and Cosmetology Services Bargaining Council.
• Application for variation of scope of registration of the Bargaining Council for the Jewellery and Precious Metal Industry (Cape).
• Application for variation of scope of registration of the Bargaining Council for the Liquor, Catering and Accommodation Trades, South Coast, Natal.
• Two applications for variation of scope of registration of the Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council.
• Application for registration of a Bargaining Council for the Wool and Mohair Industry.
• Application for registration of the South African Local Government Bargaining Council.
• Application for the registration of a statutory council: Amanzi: South African Municipal Workers Union.

Nominations to statutory bodies

The legislation governing a number of statutory bodies provides for nominations from the constituencies in Nedlac. This enables the Nedlac constituencies to be involved in the implementation of labour legislation. Nedlac is required to co-ordinate these nominations. In order to ensure the timeous nomination of representatives to these bodies, the Executive Council agreed on a protocol of administrative procedures that the secretariat should follow.

Statutory bodies for which Nedlac has co-ordinated nominations include:

• Unemployment Insurance Fund Board
• Employment Conditions Commission
• National Skills Authority
• Commission for Employment Equity
• Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration
• Essential Services Committee
• Compensation Board
• Advisory Council for Occupational Health and Safety

A sub-committee of Nedlac representatives together with the Judicial Services Committee, after a process of sifting and interviewing, recommended the appointment of the Judge President of the Labour Court, a Labour Court Judge, and a number of Judges of the Labour Court.