28 November 2023
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) presented its submission on the National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee: Small Business Development.
Whilst COSATU supports efforts to boost small enterprises, we are concerned about the undue haste in which government is rushing the Bill through Parliament at the tail end of the 6th administration. We are equally dismayed the Department of Small Business Development failed to table the Bill at Nedlac for engagement with social partners as required by the Nedlac Act for socio-economic and labour legislation prior to tabling at Parliament. This sets a dangerous precedence for other departments to follow suit in future.
We have seen many employers fraudulently register their companies as cooperatives in order to avoid compliance with our labour laws. The Bill fails to tighten loopholes to prevent such abusive activities.
Whilst Parliament may rush to conclude this Bill in the run up to the 2024 elections, it will mean a weak and ambiguous Bill whose objectives are not clear.
Issued by COSATU
For further information please contact:
Matthew Parks
Acting National Spokesperson & Parliamentary Coordinator
Cell: 082 785 0687