Consolidate social dialogue - Motlanthe

(Image: GCIS)

"Social dialogue opens up space for all key players to make a contribution, bringing on board their unique insights even as it recognises existing mechanisms for resolving disputes," Motlanthe said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the 2014 Nedlac Annual Organised Labour Conference, Motlanthe said he remained confident that organised labour, organised business and government will continue to valorise social dialogue as the primary basis for the building of unity, democracy, non-racialism, non-sexism, a just and prosperous society.

He stressed that organised labour and business, together with government seek to enter into mutual beneficial relations not because they have forsaken their parties and interests but because they need each other.

"At the end of the day the country's people needs decent sustainable jobs just as business needs prosperous enterprises and profits.

"When we speak of a better life for all, we are essentially refereeing not just working conditions but overall lives of our people even outside of the working venue."

He highlighted that generally speaking, trade unions are by nature reformists because every year or annually or second year or so, they go back to the negotiating table and negotiate the increases and even though they win those increases, the cost of living increases as well.

"The buying power of the money wage that you earn is always eroded by the cost of living on the other side. No trade union can survive unless it becomes exceptionally good in taking care of bread and butter issues.

"You can't be a trade union for long if you are not good at dealing with this bread and butter issue...that's the primary responsibility of trade unions. You must also pay attention to the overall conditions of the workers," he told the unions.

Marikana Peace Accord

Touching on the Marikana Peace Accord, Motlanthe reported that many lessons were learnt with some more pertinent to government, especially law enforcement as well as the unions. He said government will continue to meet to deal with such issues.

During the assessment in Marikana, they also realised the need for training in crowd control. Industries also realised pressure points for workers which included long working hours as workers wanted to go back home on a regular basis.

During their interaction, the labour unions commended Motlanthe for his intervention in the Marikana assessment, saying it led to calm and stability in the mine.

Motlanthe was appointed by President Jacob Zuma to try and bring all relevant stakeholders in the mining sector together to bring about stability.

The main task was to try and ensure that mine workers exercise their bargaining rights without fear of victimisation and that organised labour movements are able to embark on their activities free from violence.