Cosatu accuses business of dragging its heels on national minimum wage
The labour federation says Nedlac agreement is being challenged by partners who insist on imposing a four-hour minimum working day
Labour federation Cosatu has accused business of dragging its heels on the implementation of the national minimum wage, saying issues that had already been agreed to were now stalling talks. Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini told Business Day the agreement that had been signed at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) was being challenged by business partners who were insisting on a four-hour minimum working day, among other contentious clauses. Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa would be called on to intervene, Dlamini said. The proposed legislation that sets the national minimum wage at R20 an hour was agreed to in February and is expected to come into effect in May 2018, but parties in a Nedlac task team set up for its finalisation are concerned about its slow progress. Dlamini said business was neither honest nor willing to conclude the matter. "Business in our view is always dragged into this [unwillingly]. They are not … honest and willing to get this matter ...
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