433. Mr Z Mlenzana (COPE-EC) to ask the Minister of Labour:
Whether, with reference to the 2013-2014 World Economic Forumâs global
competitiveness index which ranks 148 countries (details furnished), her
department has taken any measures to raise labour-market efficiency; if
not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant
details?
Minister of Labour reply:
The Honourable Mlenzana, the Labour market efficiency depends on various
factors as opposed to the Department of Labour alone. The role of the
Department is to regulate the labour market in such away that it creates
labour market stability, certainty and predictability and the intention of
our labour laws is precisely that.
You will agree with me when I say industrial peace is critical for
efficient labour market and I admit the recent events in the labour market
were not helpful to our economy. However, the Honourable member will also
admit that this Government has worked tirelessly in order to ensure peace
is restored in the labour market. It is public knowledge that this
Government has facilitated a peace accord with the parties in the mining
sector where parties have committed themselves to peace.
The Government under the stewardship of the Deputy President of the country
has engaged parties on violence in the labour market and as a result there
is a signed Peace and Stability Framework Agreement by parties in the
mining sector. The parties committed themselves to the rule of law as well
as to work within the framework of the law to deal with labour conflict.
The Department will continue further to hold labour relations indaba where
I will be engaging social partners about the adversarial industrial
relations in the labour market.
Through the Public Employment Services, The Department worked closely with
the Department of Home Affairs to ensure that South Africa attract critical
skills that are needed in the economy. We have also registered work
seekers on our database to ensure that employers do not struggle when
looking to fill vacancies in their workplace place.
END