NEDLAC Summit: Mashatile pleads with private sector for help with Operation Vulindlela to boost economy
Mashatile made the calls for deeper collaboration between the private and public sectors at the annual summit in Sandton on Friday.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile. Picture: GCIS
JOHANNESBURG - Deputy President Paul Mashatile has pleaded for more support from the private sector as government looks to double down on Operation Vulindlela to turn the economy around.
Mashatile made the calls for deeper collaboration between the private and public sectors at the annual National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) Summit in Sandton on Friday.
ALSO READ:
Formed at the height of COVID-19 in 2020, Operation Vulindlela is part of an initiative to overcome stumbling blocks in telecomms, the energy and logistics sectors in a bid to spur economic growth and job creation.
In the first phase of Operation Vulindlela, almost 20 priority reforms were identified, with 95 percent already completed or near complete.
But Mashatile said more still needed to be done.
"The government is considering expanding Operation Vulindlela work to other critical areas of the economy, and it would appreciate the same social partnership to make these areas work."
CALLS FOR 'ROBUST SOCIAL DIALOGUE'
Government said it was committed to implementing bold structural reforms to place the economy on a growth path amid low growth and persistent infrastructure challenges.
The latest commitment comes after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) flagged concerns about stumbling blocks to the economic recovery plan.
A slower implementation of the turnaround strategy has also impacted on job creation, as the country's unemployment hits a fresh level of 33.5%.
Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth said at the NEDLAC Summit this included infrastructure development, social security, and State capicity.
"These key issues require an unwavering partnership and robust social dialogue by social partners, to create lasting solutions that will build our economy, strengthen the labour market, create jobs and address a number of pressing social and economic challenges facing the country, such as triple challenges unemployment, poverty, and inequality."