The South African Industrial Relations Environment Chairperson: Nkosinathi Nhleko Director-General Department of Labour South Africa
The Context Former President, Nelson Mandela, in his statement from the dock, in the famous Treason Trial that closed in June of 1964; stated that;-
Africans want to be paid a living wage. Africans want to perform work which they are capable of doing, and not work which the government declares them to be capable of. Africans want to be allowed to live where they obtain work, and not be endorsed out of an area because they were not born there. Africans want to be allowed to own land in places where they work, and not be obliged to live in rented houses which they can never call their own.
Africans want to be part of the general population, and not confined to living in their own ghettos. African men want to have their wives and children to live with them where they work, and not be forced into an unnatural existence in men s hostels. African women want to be with their menfolk and not left permanently widowed in the reserves..
Economic Transformation Reflecting on the economic transformation issue, he went on to say; Africans want a just share in the whole of South Africa; they want security and a stake in society.
Social Transformation A fellow accused, Baba Andrew Mlangeni, in his evidence, in the same trial; made the point that; the previous governments have exploited not the earth but the people of various racial groups whose colour is not white.
Socio-Economic Transformation of the Labour Relations Environment In the light of this conference taking place this week; it becomes prudent to confront and ask ourselves a frank question: How far are we from attaining objectives as enunciated in these statements? Are we confident that we have significantly moved in addressing ourselves to these challenges?
Today s Theme I believe that these two statements are at the heart of the deliberations by this conference. The panel assembled here today, will assist in unpacking most of these issues which in essence have tended to redefine industrial relations landscape in South Africa.
Theme Cont In recent times, matters of leadership, management of industrial relations, attacks on collective bargaining culture and social dialogue, have taken a sharp focus. The Panelists are going to take us through their views as they attempt to ignite Discussions on the Transformation of the Labour Relations Environment in South Africa.
Our Panelists for Today Mr Andrew Levy Andrew Levy Employment Mr Cliff Tantsi National Union of Mine Workers Dr Elize Strydom Chamber of Mines South Africa Mr Gideon du Plessis Solidarity Union
Questions and Comments
Concluding Remarks South African labour relations environment is under pressure and industrial action is increasingly marred by violence. This is not caused by changes in the legal environment, but primarily because of significant changes in the way in which unions and striking workers are conducting themselves during industrial action.
Concluding Remarks The country has also witnessed inter-union disputes and unprotected strike actions which are at the heart of inter-union rivalry, particularly in the mining sector. The South African Leadership/Management and Labour relationship is still caught up in a seemingly endless mode of adversarialism. The culture of negotiation over the last couple of years has returned to similar levels of adversarialism experienced during the predemocracy period of the 1980 s and early 1990 s.
Concluding Remarks The Parties are taking positional approaches to the negotiations, which allow little scope to deal with the real issues facing them. The Government has taken the challenges posed by industrial relations seriously and have received eminence at the highest level. The Peace Accord The Framework Agreement Labour Relations Indaba
Concluding Remarks We would like generate greater interests and concerns of social partners in respect of labour relations conflict, and identify measures to strengthen labour relations and social dialogue to achieve labour market stability and peace.
Thank You