Question NW2134 to the President of the Republic
23 June 2022 - NW2134
Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the President of the Republic
Whether, in light of the fact that Saturday 21 May 2022 marked 100 days since his State of the Nation Address on 10 February 2022, wherein he promised to finalise a social compact to create jobs, build the economy and fight hunger, the social compact has been finalised; if not, what (a) progress has been made and (b) is the reason for the delay; if so, (i) what (aa) is the exact nature of the social compact, (bb) impact does he expect it to produce, (ii)(aa)which persons and/or organisations have been consulted and (bb) on what date(s) were they consulted and (iii) who has been leading the negotiations for the social compact?
Reply:
As I indicated in my address during the Presidency Budget Vote, we are working in earnest to conclude our negotiations on a social compact.
The engagements are taking place within the context of NEDLAC, which is a statutory forum for social dialogue.
We set ourselves the ambitious target of 100 working days to signal the urgency with which we need to find common ground on difficult issues that have wide-ranging implications for our economy. While all social partners share the same goals of inclusive growth and employment, there are differing views on how to achieve those goals.
We are determined that the social compact should be substantial and meaningful and make a real difference to the trajectory of our economy. We are therefore pushing ahead to achieve an agreement that is inclusive and lasting.