24 October 2019

 

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition recently published draft regulations, in terms of the Competition Act, for public comment. The aim of the regulations is to protect SMMEs against abusive pricing- and buying practices by dominant players.

 

In light of this, the National Employers’ Association of South Africa (NEASA) is conducting a survey among SMMEs in order to, not only obtain comment of the draft regulations, but to acquire input on other structural-, legislative- and implementation shortcomings of government, that are leaving SMMEs hamstrung and battling for survival.

 

The largest proportion of employers in South Africa can be categorized as SMMEs and NEASA will continue the fight for the establishment of a dispensation in which SMMEs can flourish. It is common cause that SMMEs are the lifeblood of any economy and the most prominent drivers of job creation, something that South Africa is in dire need of.

 

Even though the said regulations are a step in the right direction, it remains to be seen if government will, in fact, be able to implement them effectively and will have the courage to address the myriad of obstacles that have left SMMEs floundering.

 

This is a press release by Gerhard Papenfus, Chief Executive of the National Employers’ Association of South Africa (NEASA).

 

For more information:

NEASA Media Department

Marietha Thirion

marietha@neasa.co.za