Parliament, Friday, 20 September 2024 – The Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour received a briefing yesterday from the Ministry and the Department of Employment and Labour on the department’s annual performance report in the third quarter of the 2023/24 financial year.
Committee Chairperson Mr Boyce Maneli said, “We are happy that the ICT challenges and suspension of the Commissioner in the UIF will not hamper the delivery of much-needed services in labour centres in this regard.”
Mr Maneli said the committee understands that the matter of the UIF Commissioner is a ministerial terrain. He said a speedy resolution of the matter would be monitored as the stability in the entity is critical. The committee also applauded the recent joint workplace blitz in various sectors of the economy in the Gauteng hospitality industry. The blitz was conducted by the Department of Employment and Labour, Department of Home Affairs and the South African Police Services.
The committee views this as important in ensuring compliance with the country's laws, especially where abuses and unfair labour practices have been reported. “We understand that the arrests of foreign nationals and closure of operations, may be misinterpreted that these necessary actions are targeting foreign nationals or hampering job creation. On the contrary, they are about the rights of workers and employers that must at all times comply with existing laws and policies."
The committee appealed for consistency in these legitimate inspections. Mr Maneli noted that in some instances, different groupings in different communities have taken it upon themselves to visit workplaces to air their frustrations about unfair labour practices and demand immediate employment.
“Whilst we understand the challenges of slow economic growth, which may be one of the reasons for these actions, we urge all stakeholders to work with responsible government departments to ensure everyone acts within the law," said Mr Maneli.
In this regard, he said, the committee commends the department for considering enlisting 20 000 interns to boost its capacity and, among other things, ensure the visibility of Labour Inspectors.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR, MR BOYCE MANELI.
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