COSATU condemns the DA’s attempts to close down the PDC

By Ofentse Mokae
06 May 2010

Congress of South Trade Unions in the Western Cape has condemned attempts by the provincial government to close the Provincial Development Council.

The trade union federation says the closure of the most representative institutions of Social Dialogue in the Country outside of Nedlac, is an attempt by the DA to purge any institutions that they belief was started by the ANC.

“It goes against the Constitutional imperative to deepen democracy in South Africa, it also goes against the new mood across the World and certainly in South Africa to forge partnerships to respond to the economic and social crisis,” the union said.

The PDC like Nedlac brings together Social Partners who are representative of Business and Civil Society and Labour who with government draft policy in consultation, and brings the experiences of the broader society into the policy making process.

The council was established to enhance commitment, cooperation and coordination between government and social partners in achieving economic and social developments objectives and it falls under department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning.