Before I call you, Minister, let me say that I see our visitors in the gallery are about to leave. I want to welcome them. They are the MPL Veliswa Mvenya from the Eastern Cape Legislature and 16 DA councillors. They are visiting the legislature in the Western Cape. You are welcome in Parliament. I am sorry; I had wanted to finish this part first. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Thank you, Deputy Speaker. Hon Motau, I won't support the establishment of an ad hoc committee, because as we speak there are amendments to the labour laws before the portfolio committee of this House.
I am not sure whether that is confusing you. You are supposed to make sure that whatever amendments you propose are deliberated at portfolio committee level, since you have an opportunity to be part of amending the laws of this country.
I must say, concerning our labour relations, that I don't think that what has happened in mining is caused by the legislation of our country; it is not. Maybe you should go and investigate exactly what is the cause of the wildcat strikes. That's when you will gain an understanding of this, rather than run to amend the laws of this country. Thank you, Deputy Speaker.
Deputy Speaker, I would just like to know from the Minister whether she has received a formal request for her to investigate the existence or financing of rogue unions. Is it possible that people who are sleeping through the revolution, like hon Kganare, have started dreaming about allegations regarding rogue unions? Our concern as the ANC is whether the whole issue of the existence of unrecognised unions has led to the undermining of the bargaining process, and in some instances led to what can be referred to as wildcat strikes. Thank you.
Deputy Speaker, I thank the hon member for the question. Hon member, yes, I must say that, particularly when it comes to the bargaining processes, there is maybe a lack of understanding of the fact that only those unions that are recognised in various companies are supposed to negotiate on behalf of the workers. With an understanding of what has been happening, particularly in Marikana, we have said that the unions who are among the signatories of the agreement should be the ones to take decisions on whether they have to reopen negotiations. Amcu, in particular, did understand what we told them, that we couldn't go beyond the Labour Relations Act. We had to adhere to that, and they agreed to this - they have to observe until such time that they have the required membership in those various companies. That's when they will be able participate in the negotiations and therefore ...
... Mhlonishwa angifuni ukuthi ngithathe izinto ezingekho emthethweni. Laba abathatha izinto ezingekho emthethweni ngiyafisa nje ukubatshela ukuthi ngelinye ilanga bayohlangana nezimbila zithutha ziholwa emhlophe phambili. Ngiyabonga. (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[Hon member, I am not willing to consider anything contrary to the policies and procedures that we normally follow, and those who disregard them will regret it one day. Thank you.]
Intentions regarding measures to regulate the practice of moneylending
317. Ms J L Fubbs (ANC) asked the Minister of Trade and Industry:
(1) What measures does he intend to implement to regulate the current practice of moneylending that is impoverishing employed workers;
(2) whether he has found that there is a correlation between (a) wages that are not related to the cost of living, (b) unsecured lending and (c) labour unrest; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, what (i) impact does this have on the manufacturing sector and (ii) are the further relevant details?