- Labour institutions established by the same statutes, he added, also need to be reformed.
- NLB is the principal advisory organ of the government on all matters of labour and employment.
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Labour and Skills Development Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime has emphasized the need to review the labour laws to align them with the current dynamics of the labour market.
Mwadime who is leading a team from the National Labour Board (NLB) on a comparative learning mission to South Africa said the laws enacted in 2007 are “out of touch with the current realities”.
Labour institutions established by the same statutes, he added, also need to be reformed.
“Youth unemployment, technology, environmental changes and other intervening factors have impacted the labour sector and this call for adjustment in policies and strategies,” he said.
Mwadime further stated that the government together with other social partners agreed that there was a need to reform the board’s structures as well as build the capacity of its membership and the secretariat to enable it to achieve its mandate.
NLB is the principal advisory organ of the government on all matters of labour and employment.
It also helps in the development of labour policies and legislation as well as administration.
This includes matters such as ratification of international labour standards and treaties, labour relations and trade unionism and inspectorate service.
Others are industrial relations, vocational and labour training, work injury benefits, labour migration and productivity.
NLB seeks to build on the best practices and systems adopted by South Africa’s National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) to enhance its social dialogue, employment equity and enforcement of labour standards.
The team will also gain insights into the Labour administration system aimed at enhancing social dialogue, alternative dispute resolution for labour matters, labour inspections and bargaining councils.
According to Mwadime, South Africa has progressive labour institutions with strong structures that will enable the board to be efficient and effective.
“This is the institution which the South African government, Ministry of Labour, business and community organizations use for problem-solving and negotiation, on economic, labour and development issues and related challenges facing the country,” he noted.
PS Mwadime thanked the International Labour Organization for supporting the mission to South Africa.
ILO has continuously extended technical support to the Ministry’s activities.