We refer to your memorandum, and in particular the section addressed to the Construction Federations and Associations.

With the Local Government Election virtually out of the way, labour relations exponents are predicting that tough wage negotiations are about to commence.

Something that one would not expect to have to deal with when employing the services of a member of Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal is shoddy workmanship and contractual disputes ......

South African unemployment is a major social, economic and political issue. The high rate of unemployment is one of the basic causes of poverty in the country which is aggravated by the disparity in the uneven distribution of wealth and income.

Members are already enquiring from the Association what procedures are recommended for the Annual Holiday period in December/January.

Your Association was represented at the recent public hearing concerning ongoing investigations into the working conditions of unskilled labour convened by the Department of Labour on 13 October.

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) is still suffering from spiralling claims as result of the global recession but UIF Commissioner Boas Seruwe is expecting that as the economy stabilises so the number of claims will drop.

Department of Labour will be holding a public hearing, to investigate the feasibility of establishing a sectoral determination within the Unskilled Labour Sector.

In the aftermath of developments at the ANC Polokwane Conference there is a prevailing view among certain Economists and Labour Experts that President Jacob Zuma`s Goverment is more pro-labour than that of former President Thabo Mbeki`s administration.

Your association is concerned to note that there are an increasing number of reports being received that union officials, municipal officials and community liaison officers are making false representations ....