Adjunkspeaker, die VF Plus verskil met die ANC en die DA oor hierdie wetsontwerp. Hulle ondersteun dit. Die VF Plus verwerp hierdie wetsontwerp. Ons is daarteen. [Deputy Speaker, the FF Plus disagrees with the ANC and the DA on this Bill. They support it. The FF Plus rejects this Bill. We oppose it.]
I want to say that this Bill is bad news for the National Development Plan. I see the hon Minister sitting here. This Bill is bad news for the fiscus, because it will not encourage any investor to invest in South Africa.
Die VF Plus glo daar moet 'n balans wees tussen die belange van die werkgewer en die werknemer. Hierdie wysigingswetsontwerp hel oor na die belange van die werknemer. Waar kan dit regverdig en billik wees dat as 'n beskuldiging van diskriminasie teen die werkgewer gemaak word, die bewyslas op die werkgewer moet wees om die teendeel te bewys? Dit is totaal onaanvaarbaar. Ek wil vandag vir u s dat die vakverbondwese in Suid-Afrika se belange so hoog geag word dat dit die ekonomie van Suid-Afrika geweldig skaad. Dit is nie in belang van Suid-Afrika dat daardie wanbalans plaasvind nie. Die ANC en die DA - kan 'n mens hoor en sien - is besig met verkiesingspraatjies. Hulle wil die massas probeer bereik. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[The FF Plus believes that a balance should exist between the interests of the employer and the employee. This amending Bill favours the interest of the employee. How can it be just and fair that when an accusation of discrimination is brought against an employer, the onus of proof lies with the employer in order to prove the opposite? It is totally unacceptable. I would like to say to you today that the interest of the congress of trade unions in South Africa is regarded as so important that it seriously harms the economy of South Africa. It is not in the interest of South Africa that this imbalance should happen. The ANC and the DA - one can hear and see - is busy with electioneering. They are trying to reach the masses.]
I want to say to these hon members: You cannot make the poor rich by making the rich poor.
Ons moet die balans kry. As ons die balans het, dan sal ons die ekonomie in Suid-Afrika kan bou. [We need to strike a balance. If we find the balance, then we will be able to build the economy of South Africa.]
The hon member said that some people asked for a sunset clause on affirmative action. The FF Plus asks for that sunset clause. Now the hon member says that the sun has not risen yet. I want to say to this hon member that it is 2013. It has been almost 20 years since 1994. The sun is not only setting on affirmative action; it is setting for the economy of South Africa if we continue with Bills like these. We can never support it. If you really wanted to build the economy of South Africa, then you should not even have Bills like these. What we need in South Africa is the best person for the best job. Let merit be the criteria, not the colour of your skin, or else the sun will set on South Africa. [Interjections.]