ATC180807: Report of the Select Committee on Economic and Business Development on the National Minimum Wage Bill [B 31B - 2017] (s75), dated 7 August 2018

NCOP Economic and Business Development

Report of the Select Committee on Economic and Business Development on the National Minimum Wage Bill [B 31B - 2017] (s75), dated 7 August 2018
 

The Select Committee on Economic and Business Development, having considered the National Minimum Wage Bill [B 31B - 2017] (s75), referred to it, reports that it has agreed to the Bill without amendments.

 

Process followed by the Committee

 

The National Minimum Wage Bill (“the Bill”) was referred to the Select Committee on Economic and Business Development on 29 May 2018 by the National Assembly (NA).

In anticipation of the transmission of the Bill from the National Assembly, the Committee invited the Department of Labour to brief it on 20 February 2018. The Committee, acting in accordance with its constitutional obligation to facilitate public participation, invited interested parties to submit comments on the Bill.

The Committee advertised the Bill on 01 June 2018 inviting all interested stakeholders to submit written submissions, and to indicate whether they would like to make an oral submission to the committee.

The Committee received 10 submissions prior to the closing date as well as 2 additional submissions after the closing date. All of the submissions were considered and all submitters were invited to make oral submissions. Ten submitters availed themselves and 2 declined.

On 27 June 2018 the Department of Labour responded to the submissions received and responded to questions by Members in respect thereof.

On 7 August 2018 the Committee deliberated on the content of the Bill and considered the issues raised in the public participation period and the Department’s response thereto.

Having considered the matter, the Committee agrees to adopt the Bill without any amendments.

Minority Views:

 

The DA indicated that whilst it supports the purport and object of the Bill, it does not support the Bill in its current form. It is the view of the DA that given the current economic climate the Bill may have the unintended consequence of negatively affecting small and medium businesses who cannot afford the national minimum wage. It is the view of the DA that the focus of the Bill should have been on sectoral determinations and the introduction of a national minimum wage in those sectors that could afford it rather than have it apply generally, as is currently the case.

 

The EFF noted that whilst it supports the Bill and agrees to the objects of the Bill, it does not support the proposed minimum wage of R20 an hour as this is too little and will not succeed in alleviating poverty.

 

 

Report to be considered.