Harmonising labour relations in the public sector is crucial to better service delivery, Public Service and Administration Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi said yesterday.

Harmonising labour relations in the public sector is crucial to better service delivery, Public Service and Administration Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi said yesterday.

"Our quest to advance and improve service delivery to our people through a unified system of public administration and management will be seriously compromised if harmonisation of labour-relations practices and policies cannot even be achieved in the public service," Fraser-Moleketi said at a labour-relations conference at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park.

She stressed that failure to comply with national policies and collective agreements within the public service was not an option and that "time is running out for us to put our own house in order".

"To enforce compliance through dispute resolution mechanisms or even designated agents appointed by bargaining councils is an indictment on the public service."

An amendment to the Public Service Act was being proposed to strengthen compliance within the public service, she said.

"The provision calls for compulsory disciplinary action to be taken against an employee who fails to comply with the act or a regulation, determination or directive made in terms of the act.

The aim of the conference was to encourage interaction between labour-relations practitioners and employees within the public sector. - Sapa