PRESS STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION - DR ZST SKWEYIYA REGARDING THE PUBLIC SECTOR TRADE UNIONS TRIP TO SWEDEN.
Issued by: Ministry for the Public Service and Administration
30th March 1995
At the invitation of the Minister for the Public Service and Administration, Dr ZST Skweyiya, two groups of public service trade union representatives will be going on a study tour of Sweden. The first group of twenty one (21) representatives will be leaving on Friday 31 March 1995. The second group is scheduled to depart in June 1995.
The object of such visits is to enhance good labour relations and the empowerment of unions and staff associations with the necessary skills for engagement in collective bargaining. It is the ardent belief of the Minister that "without strong and well organised unions" productivity and efficiency will be compromised in the public serviced. Most important, is the preparation of union officials within the public service for co-determination and worker-participation on the shop floor.
Therefore, as a preliminary step, it becomes essential for the State as employer to assist the unions in gaining exposure to international trends. These study tours are aimed at the actual negotiators and representatives of the unions within the Public Service Central Bargaining Chamber.
A highlight of the visits will be a meeting with the Swedish Minister of Labour. In addition meetings will also take place with:
1. Swedish Association of Health Officers (SHSTF)
2. Tax and Inland Revenue Department
3. Trade Unions for the Civil Service
4. Association for Salaried Employees within the Civil
Service Labour Court
5. Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations (SACO).
The Union representatives will be accompanied by Messers John Ernstzen (the Minister's special advisor on labour issues) and Themba Sangoni (a member of the government's negotiating team). The visits are wholly funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) as part of their contribution to the normalisation of labour relations and the improvement of efficiency and effectiveness in the Public Service.
Enquiries: Basetsana Thokoane
Phone : 021 455 497
021 455 491
Fax : 021 455 484
Pager : 012 323 1020 Code 31417