Articles

LRA Amendment Bill Proposes "Fair Limitations" on Rights of High Earners

pams — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:45:17 +0200

Department of Labour

The Labour Relations (LRA) Amendment Bill proposes a “fair limitation” on the rights of high earners to protection from unfair dismissal.

This is according to the department of labour’s chief director for collective bargaining, Thembinkosi Nkalipi.

Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme Gets Off the Ground

Nick Garvie — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:28:03 +0200

Department of Trade and Industry

The trade and industry department has launched the manufacturing competitiveness enhancement programme.

In a statement released by the department, the programme is described as “aimed at supporting manufacturing enterprises with competitiveness improvement interventions”.

Draft Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill to Cabinet "This Year"

pams — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:35:54 +0200

Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities

A draft national policy and bill on women empowerment and gender equality will be presented to cabinet “this year”.

Minister for women, children and people with disabilities, Lulu Xingwana, gave this undertaking in the national assembly while delivering her department’s budget vote.

"Business as Usual" for Compliant Temporary Employment Agencies, Says Minister

pams — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:32:55 +0200

Department of Labour

It will be “business as usual” for existing temporary employment agencies and their clients whose labour practices are in line with the objectives of the Labour Relations (LRA) Amendment Bill and Basic Conditions of Employment (BCEA) Amendment Bill.

Labour minister Mildred Oliphant made this clear during her 2012/13 budget vote speech in the national assembly.

BCEA and LRA Amendment Bills Certified as Ready for Tabling in Parliament

pams — Fri, 04 May 2012 10:05:45 +0200

Department of Labour

The Basic Conditions of Employment (BCEA) Amendment Bill and Labour Relations (LRA) Amendment Bill have been certified by the state law advisor and are ready to be tabled in Parliament.

This has been confirmed by Parliament’s bills office.

Government Calls for "Serious" Policy Debate on NEDLAC's "Relevance"

pams — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:41:39 +0200

Department of Labour

A “serious and intensive broader policy debate” is needed amongst the social partners in the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) on its “continued relevance”.

According to an article published on the department of labour website, director general Nkosinathi Nhleko made this remark during a recent briefing on NEDLAC’s strategic plan to the parliamentary portfolio committee on labour.

QCTO to Implement Standardised National Quality Assurance System for Artisan Training

pams — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:51:43 +0200

Department of Labour

The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) will implement a standardised national quality assurance system for artisan training that will embrace all training quality-related sector education and training authority (SETA) functions.

According to higher education and training minister Blade Nzimande, the new system will commence on 30th September 2012 when the current delegation to SETAs of training quality assurance expires.

DoL Publishes Memoranda of Objects for 2012 LRA and BCEA Amendment Bills

pams — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:01:24 +0200

Department of Labour

Memoranda of objects in respect of the 2012 Labour Relations (LRA) Amendment Bill and Basic Conditions of Employment (BCEA) Amendment Bill have been published on the department of labour (DoL) website.

According to the memorandum of objects of the LRA Amendment Bill, the proposed amendments in both bills can be grouped under several themes.

LRA and BCEA Amendment Bills to Be Tabled in Parliament "Shortly"

pams — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:20:48 +0200

Department of Labour

Labour minister Mildred Oliphant intends tabling the Basic Conditions of Employment (BCEA) Amendment Bill and the Labour Relations (LRA) Amendment Bill of 2012 in the national assembly “shortly”.

This was announced in notices 282 and 281 respectively of Government Gazette 35212 dated 5 April 2012.

Private Health Care Services Could Be Declared "Essential"

pams — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:41:21 +0200

Department of Labour

A range of private health sector services and related support services could soon be declared “essential” under Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995.

This is according to notice 251 of Government Gazette 35173 dated 30 March 2012, which lists the services concerned and invites comment on the overall proposal.