9th+Congress,+Socio-Economic,+10+of+11,+NEDLAC

Draft Adopted Resolutions of the 9th COSATU National Congress

 * (For advance study purposes only. Wait for the printed edition, or refer to the official [|COSATU web site]for the authoritative version)**

Socio-Economic Resolutions, 10 of 11
=3.10 NEDLAC:=


 * Noting:**

1. Our participation in NEDLAC and other forums like the Millennium Labour Council and the Presidents Working Group have, in the main, not been pursued in accordance with our strategic aims as outlined in previous resolutions. Moreover, affiliates are not always fully consulted or involved when matters relevant to their sector are discussed in the various forums where COSATU participates.

2. The absence of a communications strategy to communicate what is taking place in NEDLAC and Parliament results in the perception that members are turned on and off to support our demands. One day the tap might just run dry as members get fed up with not being properly informed.

3. The Community Constituency at NEDLAC is restricted to the Development Chamber, although it is obviously affected by what happens in the Trade and Industry, Public Finance and Monetary and Labour Chambers.

4. The budget allocated to NEDLAC is hopelessly inadequate and does not demonstrate any serious attitude, by Government, towards NEDLAC.

5. Coordination between Parliamentary office and Policy Unit.


 * Resolve:**

1. A more structured approach to the Federation’s work in the various socio-economic forums, aimed at increasing the involvement of workers in these processes, will be implemented as a matter of urgency. This approach shall include ongoing education, regular consultations within the Federation and with the ANC ETC and mandate taking and the use of mass action where appropriate.

2. The first CEC after Congress must develop a set of measures aimed at strengthening our participation in NEDLAC. This programme may include the following, amongst others:

> a. Regular Workers Summits involving worker delegates from the three Federations. > b. Regular strategic sessions of the leadership of the three Federations. > c. Providing adequate support and back-up for our delegates. > d. Define a clear role for the National Office Bearers of the Federation in exercising political oversight over our participation in NEDLAC. > e. Ensure that our participation is mass driven. > f. Regular consultation with the ANC NEC Economic Transformation Commission.

3. A thoroughgoing review of our work in these forums will be undertaken by the CEC within four months of the Congress. This review will include testing our participation and the outcomes against the objectives set for our participation in these forums by earlier resolutions. The aims include:

> a. use nedlac to change power relations in favour of the working class. > b. View NEDLAC AS A TERRAIN OF STRUGGLE TO BE CONTESTD TO ADVANCE THE INTEREST OF THE WORKING CLASS. > c. Critically evaluate the implications for the working class of all agreements reached at NEDLAC. > d. Bring NEDLAC and its processes closer to the people by developing a mechanism to involve members in the process of policy formulation and ensure that all documents and agreement are written in an accessible language. > e. Consistently evaluate our strategies and ensure our effective participation in NEDLAC.

4. Before commenting on any matter and/or representing the Federation in any forum where matters relevant to a particular affiliate are being discussed, the affiliate must be consulted.

5. Within two weeks from the Congress, the communications unit must devise a communication strategy that will make it easier to communicate information from parliament and NEDLAC.

6. All labour convenors in the different chambers of NEDLAC present monthly reports detailing:

> a. Issues under discussion. > b. Issues approaching deadlock. > c. Time-frames around which issues will be dealt with.

7. COSATU’s communications unit be tasked to produce a monthly NEDLAC newsletter along the lines of COSATU Weekly to be e-mailed and faxed to all affiliates.

8. The parliamentary office must also produce its own e-mail newsletter which will from time to time brief affiliates about the developments in Parliament.

9. COSATU must look into a radio/TV and print media slot on working class issues covered in NEDLAC.

10. COSATU support in principle the need for community constituency to participate in all NEDLAC Chambers.. The CEC will develop conrete proposal to achieve this objective including considering calling for the amendment of the NEDLAC Constitution.

11. To take steps aimed at ensuring that there is a substantial increase in the NEDLAC Budget.

12. That the affiliates should take a responsibility and account on deploying representative at NEDLAC.

13. NEDLAC to take accountability to capacitate the representative of all sectors

14. Policy unit of the Federation to raise funding from the external sources in order to manage and develop more effective policy engagements.

15. To conduct a comprehensive evaluation on how the working class agenda is best served in NEDLAC as a forum of social dialogue where business and government to act in their own interest as a class.

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