DELIBERATIONS ON LABOUR RELATIONS AMENDMENT BILL

6 June 2013

The Office of the ANC Chief Whip has noted reports in the media regarding the deliberations at yesterday's meeting of the Portfolio Committee on the Labour Relations Amendment Bill. The media reports relate specifically to the clauses dealing with Temporary Employment Services (also known as labour brokers), and requirement for trade unions to conduct a ballot before engaging in a strike.

The Bill was presented to Parliament by the Minister of Labour after extensive deliberations by social partners at Nedlac. The Portfolio Committee had allowed further contributions from the public through parliamentary hearings. Committee members from all parties were urged to carefully consider views obtained from both public consultation process and Nedlac during their deliberations on the Bill. We note the progress made by all political parties in the Portfolio Committee in relation to a number of clauses.

We dismiss the distortion that these provisions are fait accompli because they came from NEDLAC. Parliament has the right to consider and deliberate on the recommendations and legislate.

There has not been any decision by the Portfolio Committee on any clause in the Amendment Bill. The ANC will avoid any push for a vote on any of the clauses but will seek consensus on these issues with all the other political parties.

We reiterate our commitment to end all practices of super exploitation. 

Statement issued by the Office of the ANC Chief Whip, June 6 2013

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