NATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LABOUR COUNCIL

REPORT OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LABOUR COUNCIL (NEDLAC) ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AMENDMENT BILL, 2003

July 2003

 1. INTRODUCTION

This report deals with consideration of the Amendments to the Unemployment Insurance Act of 2001.

 

2. UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AMENDMENT BILL

2.1 Background

2.1.1 The objectives of the Bill are to amend the Unemployment Insurance Act, 2001 (Act 63 of 2001) and to:

      1. make provision for domestic workers with more than one employer

(ii) make provision for the payment of benefits under certain circumstances;

(iii) make provision for an entitlement to unemployment benefits where the employer of a contributor dies; and

(iv) provide for matters connected therewith.

 

    1. Process in Nedlac

2.2.1 Government tabled the Unemployment Insurance Amendment Bill at the Nedlac Labour Market Chamber meeting on 19 June 2003.

 

2.2.2 The chamber agreed that a task team should be formed and that engagement should commence as soon as possible.

      1. The task team met on 30 June 2003.

      2. The task team comprised of the following:

      1. Business: V. van Vuuren

        2. (ii) Government: L. Kettledas, S. Mkhonto, and S. Govender

      2. Labour: K. Moleme and S. Gangca

 

2.2.5 At the meeting of the Task Team held on 30 June 2003, Government took the constituencies through the proposed amendments and clarified certain aspects thereof.

 

3. DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED DURING THE NEDLAC PROCESS OF ENGAGEMENT ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AMENDMENT BILL

Government submitted the Draft Unemployment Insurance Amendment Bill, 2003 which was circulated to the constituencies.

 

4. AREAS OF AGREEMENT

All parties agreed to the Amendments. The Community Constituency indicated in writing on 2 July 2003, that it also endorsed the amendments as agreed by Labour, Business and Government.

 

5. AREAS OF DISAGREEMENT

There were no areas of disagreement.

6. CONCLUSION

This report, therefore, completes consideration of the Unemployment Insurance Amendment Bill 2003, in Nedlac and the report is hereby submitted to the Minister of Labour in terms of section 8 of the Nedlac Act, No. 35 of 1994.