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The negotiations on the last two sets of labour market legislation that were undergoing amendments at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) have been finalised and will now follow the legislative process.

Department of Labour (DoL) Deputy Director-General of Labour Policy & Industrial Relations, Les Kettledas, said negotiations to conclude the last set of laws was concluded last week and once passed into law by Parliament, would help provide clear policy guidance in the labour market.

The finalisation of the Public Employment Services and the Employment Equity Amendments Bills coupled with the Labour Relations and the Basic Conditions of Employment Amendment Bills, the latter two being submitted by Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant to Cabinet in March this year; complete extensive work that was started in 2010.

The new Public Employment Services Bill allows Government to play an active part to assist the unemployed to find work; improve access to the labour market; provide opportunities for new entrants to the labour market; improve and facilitate training and productivity.

The Employment Equity Bill seeks to make it unlawful to practise discrimination in the workplace and would also incorporate the principle of equal pay for work of equal value among others.

Kettledas was speaking at the Department of Labour’s two-day Annual Evaluation Workshop of the 2011/2012 Financial Year held in Muldersdrift, near Krugersdorp, in Gauteng, which ends today (July 11).

These laws give effect to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions that South Africa had ratified, Kettledas said.

Kettledas also told the workshop that Parliamentary public hearings on the Labour Relations and the Basic Conditions of Employment amendment bills were expected to start on 24 July ending in August.