Hon Speaker, Cabinet has not yet received final proposals on the implementation of the youth employment incentive. I am informed that both organised business and labour have made comments on the proposal and have raised several issues that require further discussion. The hon member would recall that the youth wage subsidy proposal was announced in the state of the nation address of 2010, whereas the Short- term Job Creation Commission was announced after the July 2011 Cabinet lekgotla.
The proposed youth wage subsidy is part of government's response to youth unemployment. The intention of the scheme is to create opportunities for the youth or first-time job seekers to gain entry into the labour market and work experience, which will improve their employability. The government was well aware at the time that it proposed the youth wage subsidy policy that it would have to be referred to Nedlac for discussions so that when it is implemented, all social partners will have been consulted and will have considered the socioeconomic impact of this policy as required by the National Economic Development and Labour Council Act, the constitutive Act of Nedlac. Once this legislative provision has been satisfied, and all social partners have participated and enriched the proposal, government will complete its processes and make the necessary announcements. I thank you for your attention.
Mr Speaker, I will try not to flout your ruling. It has been a very, very long wait while this policy has been deliberated upon at Nedlac. We know, of course, that Cosatu has been a major player in delaying the implementation of this policy and that perhaps there are political concerns ahead of the ANC's electoral conference surrounding whether or not it can go ahead and implement. However, the reality is that this Parliament voted the Minister of Finance the funding to implement this policy, that there has been time for deliberations at Nedlac, and that this legislative body has deliberated and made a decision in this regard. There are countless examples of policies which have been pursued by the government before Nedlac has completed its deliberations; the two labour Bills which Parliament is currently considering are a case in point. They came to this body before Nedlac had reached any final decision on what the draft legislation should be.
Mr Speaker, does the Deputy President not agree that the time has now come to accept that Nedlac, Cosatu and everybody who has a stake in this policy's implementation have had a chance to make their commentary and say their say and that the time has come to do the right thing, implement the youth wage subsidy, as announced by the President and budgeted for by this Parliament? Thank you.
Hon Speaker and hon Mazibuko, I am advised by Minister Patel, who engages Nedlac in these discussions, that sufficient progress has been attained and that he will be in a position to share the details of what has been agreed to tomorrow in the debate. Thank you.
Hon Speaker and hon Deputy President, this issue of the youth wage subsidy is just one of the strategies to try and deal with youth unemployment. However, the impression we get now is that as a result of Cosatu being opposed to this policy - a policy which was announced by the President and the Minister of Finance - the policy might be aborted. Is the Deputy President able to say in this House today that this is still on track?
Hon Speaker, yes. As I said, I have been advised by Minister Patel that he will be able to report on the progress made in this regard in tomorrow's debate. Thank you.
Hon Speaker and Deputy President, the issue of the youth wage subsidy will be discussed in this House tomorrow, and it is also being discussed by Nedlac. As the processes unfold, the report from Nedlac will eventually come back to Parliament - as an old Sesotho adage says, "Lepotlapotla le ja pudi." It means that if you rush things, you will make mistakes. Is it not right that we now take that wisdom and allow the processes to be followed accordingly and then let Cabinet take a decision at the right time when all the opinions have been canvassed? Thank you.
Speaker, as I have already stated, tomorrow is the day, and tomorrow shall come. The Minister of Economic Development will respond to these questions fully. Thank you.
Mr Speaker and Mr Deputy President, the sense of having Minister Patel in charge of the youth wage subsidy gives the feeling of the fox being in charge of the chicken coop. But be that as it may, the law requires only giving an opportunity to Nedlac to express an opinion - Nedlac does not have a veto power. Is this not a matter that should be taken up by Cabinet or by the Presidency with deadlines? There is consensus on this matter in this House. We are all in agreement. This is an ANC policy which the opposition has magnanimously fully embraced. The government of this country - this Parliament - is in agreement. Somebody who is not here and is not even represented is now holding the process to ransom. Is it not the responsibility of the Presidency to say: Speak by this day, because this is an emergency, or shut up? This is a crisis. If there is no leadership on a matter of national crisis or national consensus of this nature, where can we find or see the leadership from the Presidency? Thank you.
Hon Speaker and hon Oriani-Ambrosini, as I said, tomorrow is D-Day, and all these questions will be answered. Thank you. [Applause.]
Progress made in relation to job creation
12. Mrs E M Coleman (ANC) asked the Deputy President:
(1) (a) What progress has been made in achieving the targets of job creation that were set in October 2010 (details furnished) and (b) what steps did the Government take to encourage the private sector to create jobs;
(2) whether the Government has identified any new areas that have the potential for creating employment on a greater scale; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether the Government has assessed the impact of slow growth on the economy in order to reach the target of creating 5 million new jobs; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?