Terry Bell reports that the government hopes by the end of this coming week to reach an agreement with the three major labour federations on details for a comprehensive social security package.  

Discussions, convened by Nedlac will be held over three days at the Roodevallei conference centre, outside Pretoria, starting on Wednesday.  At least six government ministers and a clutch of labour economists are expected to address leaders from Cosatu, Fedusa and Nactu.  Scheduled academic speakers include Professor Imran Valodia, who chaired the panel that recommended a R3,500 national minimum wage.  The unionists are keen to discuss a comprehensive welfare package that will go well beyond the minimum wage proposal, but will also be pushing for some guarantees from government about the retention and creation of “decent jobs”.

• Read this report in full at Fin24

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