co-operation
26 February 2007
Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana says South Africa could use some of the
Algerian social security policies, particularly the unemployment insurance
payments.
Addressing a media briefing shortly after a meeting with his visiting
counterpart, Algerian Labour and Social Security Minister Tayeb Louh in
Parliament today, Monday, Minister Mdladlana singled out the Unemployment
Insurance Fund (UIF) as one of the programmes that could function even better
should South Africa emulate some of Algeria's policies.
The meeting took place on the first day of Minister Louh's three-day visit
in the country. The visit also follows up the Algerian trip by Minister
Mdladlana and a delegation that included the South African Social Security
Agency (SASSA), the National Youth Commission (NYC) and Umsobomvu Youth Fund
(UYF) representatives in November 2005.
Elaborating on the UIF issue, Minister Mdladlana said the fund could be
structured in a way that could help employment and business opportunities for
beneficiaries. Currently beneficiaries only receive cash grants. He added that
the proposed social security fund will encompass some of these elements.
Relations between South Africa and Algeria date back to the days when former
President Nelson Mandela underwent military training in that country as part of
the struggle for liberation before he was eventually arrested and sentenced to
life imprisonment.
Minister Louh's visit occurs just over a week after Minister Mdladlana
hosted his Namibian counterpart Alpheus Naruseb and his delegation. A similar
Chinese Labour Ministry delegation was in South Africa towards the end of last
year.
Contact:
Zolisa Sigabi
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour
Tel: (012) 392 9635
Cell: 082 906 3878
Issued by: Department of Labour
26 February 2007
