At NEDLAC, Government comes together with organised business, organised labour and organised community groupings on a national level to discuss and try to reach consensus on issues of social and economic policy and to make economic decision-making more inclusive, and promote the goals of economic growth and social equity.
NEDLAC is funded by the Department of Labour, and is involved with the Departments of Trade and Industry, Finance and Public Works. Organised business is represented by the formed Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), which brings together the Black Business Council (BBC), and Business South Africa (BSA). Organised labour is represented by the three main labour federations in South Africa: Cosatu, Fedusa and Nactu. Organised community is represented by the South African Youth Council, National Women's Coalition, South African National Civics Organisation, Disabled People South Africa, Financial Sector Coalition and the National Co-operatives Association of South Africa.
NEDLAC holds an Annual Summit, which provides an opportunity to review the work conducted during the year and give direction for the coming year. NEDLAC discuss different aspects of social and economic policy conducted within four chambers. These are the Labour Market Chamber, the Trade and Industry Chamber, the Development Chamber and the Public Finance and Monetary Policy Chamber. NEDLAC also engages in research and information sharing which can help the constituencies (government, business, labour and community) in developing economic policy.