A draft framework agreement is being considered by all parties and is expected to be signed by 26 June 2013. Some of the key areas requiring immediate attention by all parties to place the mining industry sustainable footing are: Ensuring law and order and ending violence and conflict; Bringing about changes required for peaceful and sustained development for decades; Repositioning the mining industry to become attractive to investors and more meaningful contributor to job creation; and Responding to the immediate economic situation. Identifying long term policy measures including uncertainty in sector regulations and tax policy. Accelerating the implementation of human settlement intervention to ensure that there is proper housing for mineworkers; and Attending to the problem of high levels of indebtedness of mineworkers; All parties will work jointly to identify sustainable support measures required for the sector. Government will ensure that the legislative and regulatory programmes provide predictability and certainty for the mining industry. Government will undertake an assessment of economic and social conditions in surrounding and labour sending areas. Government will also take steps to prevent abuse of workers by unscrupulous micro-lenders including reviewing regulations around salary deductions and garnishee orders. Parties recognise the necessity for proper implementation and co-ordination combined with monitoring and evaluation of agreed deliverables. The parties agreed to meet over the next twelve months on a quarterly basis or as frequently as required under the leadership of the Deputy President to ensure common action to address blockages and new issues as they arise.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:03:20 +0000