CAIA asks for stronger Nedlac focus on reduction and elimination of industry risks and sustainable development
While the Chemical and Allied Industries’ Association (CAIA) agrees that Nedlac has made significant progress with in finding compromises and sustainable solutions that carry the support of social partners as well as organised business and labour, it is CAIA contention that safety, health and environmental practices need more attention.
The Chemical and Allied Industries’ Association (CAIA) attended the 22nd Nedlac Annual Summit in Kempton Park on Friday, 8 September 2017.
“We are in full agreement with business, and particularly Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), that there are serious challenges facing our country and that Nedlac could have a more profound impact in some areas.
“As South Africa’s custodian of the worldwide Responsible Care® initiative, CAIA would like to see a stronger focus on the quality of human life and the economy through innovation and production, without harm to people in all industries,” says Deidré Penfold, Executive Director of CAIA.
“Nedlac mentions on its website that it exists because of the important work it has done to enable dialogue which is crucial to the sustainable development of South Africa. It further mentions that a healthy democracy requires a decent society, which requires that we are honourable, generous, tolerant and respectful.
“Sustainable development and a decent society that requires honour, generosity, tolerance and respect is exactly what CAIA is about; and in that sense we are in full agreement,” says Penfold.
In South Africa, CAIA’s Responsible Care® focus is on the chemical and allied industries in South Africa, but Nedlac could play a bigger role in alerting other industries to the positive results of the reduction and elimination of risks and to the implementation of sustainable development. In terms of international trade and the standards demanded regarding safety, health and environmental practices, a strategy for survival and growth, and for maintaining a competitive advantage, is without question the way forward.
