Making headlines: An update on the National Minimum Wage bill to be announced; SA lobby wants government, not private companies, to remove pit toilets from schools; And, Busa says Moody's announcement signals positive sentiment

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Madiba.

An update on the National Minimum Wage bill to be announced

Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant is expected to update the media on the progress made regarding the National Minimum Wages bill today.

According to a statement by the Department of Labour, Parliament is currently in a process of considering both written and oral submissions from interested parties about the bill, the Labour Relations Amendment bill and the Basic Conditions of Employment bill.

The South African Federation of Trade Unions demanded that Parliament give more time to debate the wage bill and amendments to the labour laws, as well as to consult affected workers.

In a statement, Saftu demanded that Oliphant reopen the debate and welcome more submissions.

SA lobby wants government, not private companies, to remove pit toilets from schools

Social lobby Education for Social Justice Foundation today said that South Africa's government, and not private companies, should handle the removal of pit toilets in South African public schools.

The department of education has come under renewed fire after a school child recently fell into a pit toilet and died, rekindling anger that some of South Africa's poorest schools still use such facilities more than 24 years after the end of the apartheid system.

The rights groups said that the Education for Social Justice Foundation notes government’s preparedness to eradicate pit toilets across the country’s schools in light of the recent challenges that led to the death of learners in some of the schools.

The group is calling on government to make use of the public works department instead of private companies in order to save costs which can be used to fund other projects necessary for the advancement of the people.

The rights groups said using the government department for the project would save R2-billion in Limpopo province alone, which is home to some of the country's poorest schools.

And, Busa says Moody's announcement signals positive sentiment

The decision by Moody’s Investors Service to retain South Africa’s international and domestic credit rating at investment grade and the change in outlook to stable is a mark of greater confidence in the country, said Business Unity South Africa.

On Friday night, Moody's said it had taken a decision to affirm South Africa's long-term foreign and local currency debt ratings at "Baa3" and also to revise the outlook from negative to stable, because previous deterioration of the country's institutions would gradually reverse under a more transparent, predictable policy framework.

Busa CEO Tanya Cohen said the decision by Moody’s to maintain South Africa’s investment grade rating is an indication that recent developments have paid off.

Cohen added that Moody’s decision reflected the positive sentiment that had prevailed as a result of the election of Cyril Ramaphosa as President; along with the cabinet reshuffle that brought credible, tried and tested ministers, such as Nhlanhla Nene and Pravin Gordhan, back to senior positions in cabinet; the overhaul of the boards of SAA and Eskom bringing in experienced individuals with credible track records; and the steps being taken to root out corruption and deal with state capture.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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