Labour wins key concessions

AMENDMENTS: LATE PENSION PAYMENTS TO COST EMPLOYERS

- Eric Mthobeli Naki

Stringent labour law amendments that caused tension between the government and labour have been moderated to please workers with additional provision that employers who make late pension payments to their pension funds would pay interest.

The department of employment and labour is considering public views before finalising the previous agreements so that the legislation can go to parliament.

Previously, organised labour put pressure on the government and business not to compromise the workers' gains in the Labour Relations Act and other legislation.

In terms of the labour amendment as agreed by social partners, employers would be required to comply with pension fund payments. The payment process would be overseen by department's labour inspectors.