188. Mr D B Feldman (COPE-Gauteng) to ask the Minister of Labour:
(1) Whether his department is still paying retrenchment subsidies to
companies intending to lay off staff according to the Clothing
and Textile Competitiveness Improvement Programme grants that
were promised by his department; if not, why not; if so, what
are the relevant details regarding a certain company (name
furnished) that has received R77,9 million grant from the
Government in this regard;
(2) whether, with reference to a media report (details furnished) he
has been informed of the allegations that over 1500 labourers
are to lose their jobs in the said company; if not, what is the
position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether the Government monitors how these grants are being
expended by the (a) companies and (b) intended beneficiaries in
the clothing and textile industry in general; if not, why not;
if so, (i) what are the details of benefiting companies in the
(aa) 2009-10, (bb) 2010-11 financial years, (ii) what different
types of (aa) skills and (bb) alternative employment that have
been created and (iii) what amount has been spent by the
Government for this purpose? CW249
Minister of Labourâs Response:
1. I studied the question carefully and I am of the view that it
has nothing to do with the Department of Labour. The question
should be directed to the Department of Economic Development and
the Department of Trade Industry to check their records and to
if they are involved in any form with the mentioned company and
to prepare the relevant response.
The Department of Labour, the Department of Higher Education and
Training and the Department of Economic Development are only
involved in Training Lay-Off Schemes wherein we assist companies
in distress if they submit an application. I have checked our
records and the mentioned company was never approved to receive
Training lay-Off scheme Funding assistance.
2. & 3. The answers to the two questions will be provided by the
relevant Department.