227. Mr O de Beer (COPE â WC) to ask the Minister of Labour:
1) What is her departmentâs way forward regarding the (a) unstable labour
relations and (b) policy drifting that is impacting on the economy and
affecting growth;
2) Whether she intends taking any action regarding the current challenges
in the labour sector; if not, why not; if so, what action;
3) What are the best practice interventions to turn the situation around in
this regard?
Minister of Labour reply:
1. The Department is not a direct role player in collective bargaining
processes. The Department does, however, engage parties to certain disputes
to try to encourage a settlement as happened in the recent strike in the
motor retail sector.
2. The Department does not have responsibility for macro-economic policy
and is not aware of âpolicy driftâ that may be impacting on the economy and
growth. It is suggested that the Honourable member direct a specific
question in this regard to the Minister of Finance, Economic Development
and/or Trade and Industry.
3. The âbest practice interventionsâ refer to labour relations, then it is
the view of the Department that such interventions are best identified
through a process of social dialogue together with organized business and
organized labour which is what the Department is doing.
END