Jobs summit opens with renewed hope
Ramaphosa hails new agreement to get SA back to work
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa hailed the new framework agreement for jobs between business, labour, civil society and government, saying it would create a social compact that would address the country’s economic woes.
Ramaphosa addressed the presidential Jobs Summit organised under the auspices of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac).
The event in Midrand is aimed at aligning efforts of business, labour and government behind initiatives to create much-needed jobs in the country and to seek ways of improving South Africa’s stagnant growth.
Earlier this year during his State of the Nation Address, Ramaphosa announced that he would organised the summit through Nedlac. Social partners have been crafting a framework, which he presented yesterday.
Ramaphosa said some of the agreements reached in the ambitious framework included doing everything possible to avoid retrenchments.
“We have agreed that in the current economic environment the jobs summit must focus on both creating new jobs and retaining existing jobs. All social partners were poles apart before they agreed to this type of arrangement.
“Needs to be explored before retrenchment is considered include executive salary sacrifices and the forgoing of dividends. This I regard as a revolutionary decision – before we just opt for throwing people to the streets and saying you have lost your jobs,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the agreement created an opportunity to once again to develop trust and forge co-operation among social partners.
While emphasising it was every social partner’s responsibility to ensure unemployment was addressed, he said the government acknowledged its role in the problem.
“One of the greatest barriers to investment and growth and job creation has been corruption within all spheres of government, state-owned enterprises and companies. We are determined to intensify the work we have already started to end state capture and to root out corruption wherever it occurs, and by whomever it is done and bring those responsible to book so that they can be accountable for their wrongs,” Ramaphosa said
Inclusive growth interventions include worker equity and representation on company boards and the reporting by business on executive pay ratios in annual reports.
On small and medium enterprises, the interventions include the enhancement of access and co-ordination of SMME support, including the expansion of the private/public hubs and incubators, and the up-scaling and monitoring of the effective implementation of the 30% of government spend set aside for SMMEs.
Ramaphosa said all social partners were engaged in intensive discussions to craft an agreement to begin to address the jobs crisis since his announcement.
“There were moments when some of them wanted to walk out and some of them thought that no progress shall be made. These social partners have agreed that this jobs summit will emerge with the framework agreement that is both ambitious and realisable,” Ramaphosa said.
The summit will commence today, where the framework will be discussed. Ramaphosa will also preside over today’s South Africa Investment Conference, as part of the drive to mobilise R1.2 trillion in new investments.
THE long-awaited presidential jobs summit, organised under the auspices of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac), came at a time many South Africans were grappling to make ends meet.
It came as South Africans were hit by yet another fuel hike, which is causing strain on many motorists.
President Cyril Ramaphosa opened the summit in Johannesburg yesterday, telling the gathering that some of the agreements reached between business, labour, civil society and government in a framework included doing everything possible to avoid retrenchments.
This lead story rounds off what has been a busy news week. We also bring you the latest on the Student Representative Council elections at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, which have once again been affected by delays. Voting finally began last night following contesting by the EFF Student Command (EFFSC), the Pan Africanist Student Movement of Azania (Pasma) and ANC-affiliated student movement, the South African Students Congress (Sasco).
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As part of marking World Teachers Day, the Gugulethu community will honour retired teacher Robert Kinkin Qengwa for his dedication and commitment to teaching.
The 86-year-old has been hailed a driving force who enabled pupils of Vuyani Primary School to achieve excellence.
We hope you enjoy these and more in today’s edition.