The government and trade union federation Cosatu have agreed that the impasse between them on the Taxation Laws Amendment Act which includes retirement tax reforms needs to be resolved as soon as possible.

Minister in Presidency for Planning‚ Monitoring and Evaluation‚ Jeff Radebe‚ met with the leadership of COSATU on Saturday in line with his mandate from President Jacob Zuma to find an urgent solution to the Taxation Laws Amendment Act stalemate‚” Presidency spokesman Bongani Majola said.

“Both government and COSATU agreed that a solution should be expedited to resolve the impasse‚” Majola said.

“In this regard‚ the Presidency is working with relevant government departments to find the quickest possible legal route to resolving the issues. It was also agreed that the affected parties should be given enough time to discuss the matter with a view to reaching consensus‚” Majola added.

He said Radebe was satisfied that the discussions were going well thus far.

Cosatu has threatened a massive strike on March 1 to coincide with the implementation of the new taxation legislation if it is not scrapped.