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Cuba's Minister of Labour and Social Security Alfredo Morales Cartaya says South Africa's learnership programme will bring about employment and skills development to the unemployed youth in South Africa.

The Cuban Minister of Labour and Social Security was speaking during a bilateral meeting held in Cuba with South Africa's Minister of Labour, Membathisi Mdladlana.

The Minister of Labour, Membathisi Mdladlana, is currently on an official visit to Cuba, to strengthen South Africa's relationship with Cuba and to review the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2000.

The Cuban Minister of Labour and Social Security Morales Cartaya told Minister Mdladlana that he was impressed to learn that South African employers at the Growth and Development Summit held in June agreed with trade unions and community organisations and the Department of Labour that 72 000 unemployed youth should be taken into the learnerships programmes.

"I am also happy to learn that employers contribute 1% of their wage bill as a skills development levy. This is the only way in which employers can contribute to skills development in your country. Skills are linked to economic and social development of every country," said Minister Morales Cartaya.

Cuba's Minister of Labour and Social Security said he was also interested to learn more about the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) that is an institution that resolves disputes between workers and employers.

"Cuban experts who will be visiting South Africa will also learn and understand how the Employment Equity Act is being implemented and enforced in South Africa," concluded Cartaya.

Minister Membathisi Mdladlana, who is on his last leg of his visit to South America, said it's important that the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two countries in February 2000 is reviewed and those areas that need urgent attention are attended to.

"Memoranda of understanding need to be reviewed and re-developed from time to time. We have a lot to learn from Cuba. We have agreed that we will develop closer cooperation with Cuba in the field of employment, social security, occupational health and safety and skills development. It will be important that experts from Cuba visit South Africa in October so as to meet with the Department of Labour's officials. They will exchange views and information with our officials, visit our Labour centres, learn and understand South Africa's Labour Market policies. They will exchange views and information on how important institutions like the CCMA and NEDLAC function and how we manage our social security institutions," said Minister Mdladlana.

The two Ministers agreed that experts from Cuba will visit South Africa in October.

Minister Cartaya also accepted an invitation from South Africa's Minister of Labour, Membathisi Mdladlana, to visit South Africa in November.

Minister Membathisi Mdladlana and his delegation will leave Cuba for South Africa today.

Enquiries: Snuki Zikalala, 082 809 3195

Issued by: Department of Labour, 1 August 2003