National minimum wage may be a ANC vote catcher

The ANC’s promise to create jobs is aimed at ensuring “decent work” and is one of main priorities the party has outlined in its election manifesto as the basis of its next five-year plan with Jacob Zuma as president.

The others are education, health, rural development, food security and land reform and the fight against crime and corruption. The manifesto spells out its objectives “to build an inclusive economy which draws from the skills of all South Africans,

affirms people and reduces income inequality as well as undo the legacy of discrimination at work on the grounds of race, gender and disability”.

The manifesto is the product of extensive negotiations and discussions between the ANC and its alliance partners.

At the ANC’s 102nd anniversary celebration and manifesto launch at Mbombela Stadium, Mpumalanga on Saturday, Zuma called on government, business, labour and social organisations to actively contribute to economic transformation.

“South Africans must commit to take the country forward on the basis of hard work, contribution and sacrifice for equitable and shared benefits for all,” he told thousands of ANC members in attendance. “The financial sector will be encouraged to become more inclusive and accessible.”

The ANC also plans to protect workers’ rights and deal with “abusive” practices and labour brokering. The inclusion of this clause in the ANC’s five-year plan is part of the party’s efforts to ensure tighter monitoring of labour laws. – ngwakom@citizen.co.za