Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma has signed into law the Local Government Municipal Property Rates Amendment Act as well as the Labour Relations Amendment Act, the Presidency said on Sunday.
Spokesperson Mac Maharaj said in the first instance the act regulated the categories of property in respect of which rates may be levied, the time frames of publication of the resolutions levying rates, and what must be contained in the promulgated resolution.
It also provided for the exclusion from the rates of certain categories of public service infrastructure.
It further gave powers to a municipality to levy different rates on vacant land.
The Act would also give power to the MEC of local government to extend the period of validity of a valuation roll by an additional two years.
The Labour Relations Amendment Act sought to respond to the increased informalisation of labour to ensure that vulnerable groups received adequate protection and were employed in conditions of decent work, said Maharaj.
The Act was also to ensure that labour legislation gave effect to fundamental constitutional rights, including the right to fair labour practices, to engage in collective bargaining, and the right to equality and protection from unfair discrimination.