Today's Labour News

Engineering News reports that business organisation Business Unity SA (Busa) has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to make an announcement during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday that there is an urgent need for structural economic reforms.

"The SONA represents a crucial chance to convey the message that his government recognises the crisis the country is in, has co-developed a strategy with social partners in response to the crisis and is prepared to implement it," said Busa CEO Cas Coovadia. He went on to add: "As a result of fiscal constraints, a social crisis of unprecedented proportions has arisen, with poverty a growing challenge and unemployment at record-high levels. Busa wants to see a clear implementation strategy that demonstrates government's commitment to the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan that identifies and calls for bids on five or six critical growth-enhancing infrastructure projects as a catalyst for job creation." An action plan to deal with the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) crisis must include decisions on which SOEs were of strategic importance, the private sector's role, as well as applicable governance and skills challenges. Busa has also called for a clear implementation strategy on how the government planned to address the current energy crisis in the country. Furthermore, the organisation wants an announcement that the President will release clear, firmly structured processes for each deliverable, clear responsibilities for members of Cabinet and timelines to achieve precise implementation milestones to focus on meeting goals. What is also needed is a clear message on how the government is planning to implement the findings of the Zondo Commission report, with a clear plan and timeline for implementation.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News

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