The appointment of an expert seven-person advisory panel to look into the feasibility of the national minimum wage in SA has been welcomed by Cosatu.
The federation which is part of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) pledged its support of the work the experts will undertake.
However it was still unhappy with the length of the national minimum wage talks at the council which has been characterised by delays and impasses over baseline levels.
“The NMW Advisory Panel must conclude its work as rapidly as possible, so that the negotiations can be concluded, and a NMW implemented.
We hope that government, in line with the mandate from the ruling party, will instruct its negotiators to approach this matter with the necessary urgency and focus. We caution big business that any delaying tactics will be rejected by labour, as well as any attempts to entrench the current ultra low wage structure,” said Cosatu spokesperson, Sizwe Pamla.
Government, labour, community and business constituencies at the Nedlac agreed on the establishment of the panel in June to allow the experts an an opportunity to determine modalities of the system including a feasible level.
The panel will be chaired by Wits University’s Dean of Commerce, Law and Management, Professor Imraan Valodia.
@ThetoThakane
Labour Bureau