Parliament, Wednesday, 22 April 2020 – The joint committee meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour, and the Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business Development, Tourism and Employment and Labour welcomes the stimulus package of R500 billion that was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa last night.
The joint committee was happy about the additional R100 billion which is ring-fenced for the protection of jobs. The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour, Ms Lindelwa Dunjwa, said the committees will monitor the implementation of the package and the work that the department will be doing moving forward.
The joint committee received a briefing on the work of the Department of Employment and Labour, through the three entities that deal directly with challenges related to COVID-19 in the sector. Those entities are: Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), Compensation Fund (CF) and Inspection and Enforcement.
Members of the joint committee welcomed the call of the department on the employers to apply to the UIF through their bargaining councils. All the employers are encouraged to apply to ensure that their workers do not miss the benefits they deserve. The process of paying back the UIF will be dealt with later by the department.
The joint committee heard from the briefing that, to date, R1.6 billion has been paid, from 37000 claims, and over 600 000 workers benefitted from that. Members of the joint committee congratulated sectors that have claimed from UIF and commended those companies in the sectors that paid their workers, sectors such as the textile and clothing.
“We encourage all the bargaining councils to follow suit, and finalise negotiations with the department so that their workers are not disadvantaged,” said the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour, Ms Lindelwa Dunjwa
The Inspectorate and Enforcement indicated that there are companies that are not complying with regulations. The joint committee encouraged those companies to comply with the regulations for the sake of their employees. Ms Dunjwa said although it was the first meeting during the lockdown, but the committees will further engage the department on issues that are critical and will monitor its work.
“We appreciate the sterling work of the government under very difficult conditions. We also encourage employers, employees and the communities to adhere to the regulations to save their lives.” Added Ms Dunjwa.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSONS OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR, MS LINDELWA DUNJWA.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the Committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Sibongile Maputi (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8041
Cell: 081 052 6060
Email: smaputi@parliament.gov.za
Arrange a tour