The Portfolio Committee on Labour has successfully completed its public hearings on the national minimum wage. The Committee visited four provinces, Gauteng, Free State, Eastern Cape, and concluded its final hearing in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal on Friday.
Proceeding at the final hearing where momentarily delayed by load-shedding, but despite this the Committee Chairperson, Ms Lumka Yengeni, said she was happy that the inputs from members of the public and union representatives had been captured and recorded.
Ms Yengeni said the Committee is committed in ensuring that the views of all Congress of South African Trade Union-affiliated unions and other non-aligned unions from all provinces are taken into consideration when formulating a final draft on the proposals for a national minimum wage for Parliament.
The Committee share the sentiments of the public and union representatives that, while, the South African economy is growing and more job opportunities have been created, South Africans are still struggling to meet their basic needs.
Ms Yengeni mentioned during the public hearing that the final phase of national minimum wage public engagements will take place in Parliament. All trade unions – both Cosatu-aligned and non-aligned, will be invited to submit their views.
The Committee strongly believes that these public hearing on the national minimum wage will assist the Committee to advise Parliament to set a minimum wage at a level which allow a family to live a decent live, Ms Yengeni said.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Mzingezwi Plum
Tel: 021 403 2201
Cell: 076 9054 693
E-mail: oplum@parliament.gov.za
