Business Unity South Africa (Busa) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) have agreed on a joint programme of action on several strategic economic drivers as contained in the new growth path (NGP) — basic education, skills development, the role of small and medium enterprises in job creation — as well as issues related to preferential procurement and exploring ways of counteracting corruption.
This follows a meeting between the two organisations, which took place at Nedlac on Wednesday.
The Cosatu delegation was led by general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and the Busa delegation by its president, Futhi Mtoba.
The meeting was aimed at finding solutions and common ground on the triple crisis of poverty, unemployment and skills development in South Africa.
“Busa and Cosatu shared a deep concern about the weakening economy in South Africa and the deteriorating global economic situation. It was agreed that it had become necessary to revisit the measures embodied in South Africa’s earlier response to the previous economic global crisis in 2009, and identify any new steps that may be needed to address the latest developments,” the parties said in a joint statement.
They have agreed to intensify the artisan development programme and on adopting a programme to assist poorly-performing schools.
They also agreed to support existing anti-corruption initiatives in order to curb the scourge of corruption in the private and public sectors. The bilateral also agreed to work together to sign the Integrity Pact, which aims to cultivate ethical behaviour in the private and public sectors.
The joint meeting also discussed the humanitarian crisis in Somalia and agreed that both parties would support programmes geared towards mobilising resources to aid the Somali people, including declaring a national day of action on Somalia.
Several task teams have been mandated to expedite outcomes on all the agreed projects and programmes. — I-Net Bridge