Speaking notes for the Minister of Labour on the ocassion of the Labour Relations Indaba, Emperors Palace Ekurhuleni, Gauteng
Programme Director,
Deputy President of the Republic: His Excellency, Cyril Ramaphosa,
Ministers and Deputy Ministers here present,
Leaders of our Social Partners, Business, Community and organised Labour,
Directors-General and Government Officials here present,
Distinguished guests,
Members of the media,
Ladies and gentlemen.
When NEDLAC was founded in 1995, it was recognised everywhere as a historical milestone in our quest to transform the South African society.
Great hopes for the future were awakened by this forum in which the principal forces of our society, together with government, could work together to address strategic issues of economic and social development.
In tackling the challenges in our labour relations environment as you are doing today, and by seeking to help mobilise our society in pursuit of Labour market stability, addressing the challenge of prolonged and often violent strikes; linking this with the need to address the three stubborn Cousins in the form of unemployment, poverty and inequality, NEDLAC is proving true to the expectations from its launch 19 years ago.
For these reasons, I feel profoundly honoured to be part of this gathering of the esteemed leaders of our society. We have had many Indaba’s and Summits since the dawn of democracy in this country, some extremely successful in their outcomes, and others not so great. I am optimistic that this one is not going to be counted among those that were not so great.
As it is often said, in every crisis there is opportunity. There is empirical evidence that in times of strife, there exist the magic of surfacing incredible levels of innovation and creativity of any nation. Therefore the fact that we are dealing with these kinds of issues, brings hope that, as a nation, we will emerge with innovation and creativity that would never have been possible, if it wasn’t for the President’s call for us to meet as we do today.
There is an African proverb that goes something like this, and I quote: “If you want to walk too fast, walk alone, but if you want to walk too far, walk as a group.” close quote. In South Africa we need to find the delicate balance between these two normals, and seek to establish a new normal that combines the two. There are areas where we need to go fast, likewise there are areas where we need to go far.
There is no better way of doing this than through social dialogue, and Nedlac presents an excellent platform for this to happen.
Ladies and gentlemen
Wherever I go outside of our borders, people shower the country with accolades for having an institution like Nedlac. I have met many people who ask us for help and guidance on how to set up something like Nedlac in their own countries. Even the ILO refers a number of countries to South Africa if they want to learn about how to set up institutions of social dialogue in their own countries. Indeed we have every reason to celebrate the nation’s vision and commitment to social dialogue.
Whilst the country boasts this globally recognised best practice on social dialogue, it also has quite a disturbing reputation; and it goes something like this, and I quote, ‘If you want to see the best plans and policies in the world, go to South Africa, and if want to learn how not to implement the best plans and policies, they say, you must also go to South Africa.” Close quote.
This INDABA must not be one of those that are accredited with the latter. Deputy President, Again recently the Minister in the Presidency, Minister Jeff Radebe, when presenting Budget Vote 6 and 13 of the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Statistics South Africa, reminded us of a message that our former President Nelson Mandela once wrote to Adelaide Tambo back in 1977, about the importance of planning and the execution thereof. It went something like this; and I quote, “Significant progress is always possible if we, ourselves, plan every detail and allow intervention of fate only on our own terms. Preparing a master plan, and applying it, are two different things.” close quote.
We need to sharpen our ability to execute our plans with precision and perhaps, this is where we need to shift our focus. Let’s dedicate 80% of our efforts to transplanting our plans into demonstrable outcomes that gives us the desired impact.
Deputy President, Colleagues and Friends; we are the first to acknowledge that whist some of the high expectations and enthusiasm that surrounded the launch of Nedlac on the 18th of February 1995 have not been met, its achievements to date have been encouraging, albeit with some set-backs. The socio-economic landscape, not only in South Africa, but globally, ferns the flames of tensions and one would have hoped that with Nedlac in our midst, the impact would not have been so dire.
Others argue that the recent outburst of conflict in the Industrial Relations world of work, should not have visited a country with such a rich history and institutions of social dialogue. This merely demonstrates the dynamic and contested nature of the environment within which Nedlac operates.
Deputy President; Nedlac has, in my view, an excellent track-record of developing Accords and implementing them with some degree of success. One can cite, among others; the Presidential Jobs Summit of 30 October 1998, the Growth and Development Summit Accord of June 2003, The Framework Response to the Stakeholder Framework Agreement to address Energy and Electricity Crisis of May 2008; the Framework for South Africa’s Response to the Global Economic Crisis of 19 February 2009 and recently the four critical Accords emanating from the new Growth Path, is a living testimony of how well social dialogue has served the nation.
The one thing that we all know, is that Social dialogue is not an event, but a process, and that sometimes it produces the results we all agree to, and sometime it doesn’t; it is sometimes quick and sometimes it is painstakingly slow. I have no doubt that this INDABA is capable of emerging and/or developing a process that will deliver on the desired outcomes.
The South African government takes its seat alongside representatives of Labour and Business in the ILO structures. It follows therefore that the decisions of the ILO deserve compliance not only from Government, but equally from our social partners. There are instances where decisions are supported at the ILO, but some of our social partners distance themselves from such decisions when they get back home.
The principle of equal pay for work of equal value was one such case where the employers’ arguments in the Labour Law amendments negotiations were out of sync with what they themselves had agreed to at the ILO.
I am hoping that this is not going to be case in this INDABA that we take decisions as leaders of our respective constituencies and when it comes to implementation, we renege and/or come with every excuse imaginable, to block implementation.
Ladies and Gentlemen; let’s choose key strategic interventions that promise the greatest impact within a short space of time as we can’t do everything and expect to achieve the same impact. Others call this, targeting the low hanging fruits.
Programme Director; Charlotte Maxeke, the first African Women Graduate in South Africa and the first National President of the National Council of Women, her advice to women in 1938, goes something like this, and I quote, “This work is not for yourselves – kill that spirit of “self”, and do not live above your people, but live with them. If you can rise, bring someone with you.
Do away with that fearful animal of jealousy - kill that spirit, and love one another as brothers and sisters.” Close quote. This calls for selflessness for the common good. Please take note that this is the opposite of the current practice of kicking the ladder once one reaches the top.
Deputy President; Ladies and Gentlemen: We may, as leaders have different views on issues, but we only have one South Africa that together we must develop, defend and share peacefully.
Amilcar Cabral, a fighter and a revolutionary who together with others, was instrumental in promoting the fight for the independence of the then Portuguese colonies, once said, and I quote, “Always bear in mind that the people are not fighting for ideas, for the things in anyone’s head. They are fighting to win material benefits, to live better and in peace, to see their lives go forward, to guarantee the future of their children. . .” Close quote.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I truly believe that as leaders and as social partners, we can emulate what Cabral advocated at the time by speeding up the pace of finding remedies to our challenges. Investigation the modalities of establishing the National Minimum wage is an important assignment and it requires all hands on deck. Yes, there are challenges, but as a collective, we can triumph.
Let us together move South Africa Forward.
I thank you!
