Planning Commission must not overshadow Nedlac

Monday, October 26, 2009

Johannesburg - The Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) says the proposed National Planning Commission must not "overshadow" the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac).

Briefing the media following a meeting with the Minister in the Presidency responsible for National Planning, Trevor Manuel, Fedusa general-secretary Dennis George said the Planning Commission and Nedlac should instead complement each other.

He raised concern that the situation would lead to Nedlac finding itself under resourced.

Nedlac is a platform for government to come together with organised business, organised labour and organised community groupings on a national level to discuss and try to reach consensus on issues of social and economic policy.

It aims to make economic decision-making more inclusive, to promote the goals of economic growth and social equity.

Fedusa said that following the meeting with the minister, it now clearly understood government's position with regard to the planning commission.

The Green Paper on National Strategic Planning was tabled before Parliament in early September. The document sets out the rationale for planning and the institutional structures, processes and outputs of the national planning process.

The development of a long-term national plan and better strategic planning would help align government's efforts towards achieving the type of society that all desire for the future.

Manuel reiterated that the Green Paper was still a consultation document that outlines the tasks of the National Planning Commission broadly.

"The Green Paper is a consultation document setting out a proposed policy position, in this case the position of the national government," said Manuel.

He said it should be noted that Parliament's Ad-Hoc Committee on the Green Paper on the National Strategic Planning was hosting public hearings on the matter today and tomorrow.

He also reiterated that government wants to work with all the partners involved.