Student Conference 2017:

The SASLAW Young Scholars Society welcomes members under the age of 30 to be part of this young and vibrant community. There is NO extra membership fee to join this Society. Events and Forums have been created especially for this category of membership

NAME & MISSION

This document sets out to formalise the Young Scholars Society (YSS) of SASLAW. It has been agreed by the current committee that this name is to be used.  This is a more inclusive name to include members from the Bar associations, HR practitioners, public sector representatives and academics who are interested in the study and practice of labour law as a discipline.  There is an alignment with the International Society for Labour and Social Security Law (ISLSSL) who refer to the Young Scholars Society.   

“It was a privilege for me to attend the ISLSSL Young Scholars Seminar on Global Trades and Labour Rights between 18 to 24 June 2017.

The ISLSSL Young Scholars Seminar draws experts and scholars from across the globe to discuss global trades and labour rights. The seminar is facilitated by seasoned and renowned professors from various universities across the globe. It is a good platform for young scholars and labour law practitioners to share experiences and ideas on various labour issues.

The topics canvassed at the Seminar vary and focus on current affairs that have an impact on the labour and social security laws. It also exposes one to international issues rather than focusing only on regional issues. The participants are allowed to express different views and spark debate on the issues. What is also interesting about the Seminar is that it encourages engagement on grey areas of labour and social security laws which requires participants to think on their feet.

The topics covered during the Seminar show that international and bilateral agreements are also influenced by labour or social security laws. This is an opportunity many scholars in South Africa are not exposed to. Of course, it is not only about learning, the Seminar is organised in a manner that allows participants to explore the beautiful Venice.

I am grateful to the ISLSSL and SASLAW for the scholarship to attend the seminar. I would strongly recommend that other young scholars attend the seminar in future.”

Siphamandla Dube | Associate

I was the recipient of the full ISLSSL scholarship to attend the ISLSSL 4th annual Seminar in Venice on International and Comparative Labour Law entitled Global Trade and Labour Rights.  The seminar was hosted by the Ca' Foscari University overlooking the beautiful Venice canals.  Varying topics related to global trade and labour rights from Brexit, US protectionism, free versus fair trade, the social clause and the place and level of responsibility of international organisations and multinationals were presented and debated.  The seminar boasted an esteemed panel of professors and doctors from a multitude of leading universities from the Unites States of America and countries across Europe.  This panel shared invaluable insight into a tumultuous and dynamic area of our law and highlighted the importance of basic labour rights as basic human rights which should concern, and deserve the attention of, all global trade stakeholders.  Attendees were provided with an opportunity to draw on the knowledge and experience of a diverse pool of colleagues in extensive daily debates with the oversight by members of the presenting panel.  The varying perspectives of attendees, who were drawn from the developed, developing and undeveloped parts of the world, was most prevalent in the presentations of papers by 23 young scholars (including myself) who delivered thought provoking presentations on the topical issues arising from the global trade and labour rights debate.
                                                                                                                                                                                 
Attending the seminar was an incredible experience and I want to thank the ISLSSL for this opportunity to learn from and engage with international experts and colleagues.  I would also like to thank SASLAW, and in particular Clare Fincham, for encouraging SASLAW members to take advantage of this opportunity. Kristen  Eiser, Webber Wentzel