THE National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) is facing its first real trial in dousing down the fire around the new Labour Relations Bill. This is not just a test of this new institution — it is a test for the philosophy of tripartism, which depends on the three Nedlac players, (government, business and labour), striving for and genuinely wanting to build a mutually beneficial relationship of co-operation to replace their traditional antagonism.
Neither business nor labour has got off to a promising start. Business is being tough-minded, showing little willingness to find the kinds of compromise that will allow for agreement; and labour is threatening mass action in response.
This is inevitable. Business would be happier with the current Act than anything it will get in the new one, so it is going to try and stand firm. Delay works to its advantage.
Unions, on the other hand, see in this legislation the chance to make some quick and significant gains — an opportunity labour is not likely to have again for some time. It is going to push as hard as it can.
The good news is that these two players are both hardened and realistic negotiators. They have repeatedly displayed an ability to reach agreement once they actually get down to hard bargaining.
But looming over them is Labour Minister Tito Mboweni’s June 30 deadline for agreement on the Bill. Clearly, this is not enough time for the two parties to finish their war dances and start talking peace.
It is not often that this newspaper will give credit to a minister who slows down change, but this is one occasion when it will be necessary. The success of the Bill depends on agreement, and that is not going to be reached within a few weeks. Without allowing business the freedom to delay matters excessively, Mboweni should give Nedlac the time to make a proper job of shaping this all-important law.