Hon Speaker, hon Deputy President, hon members, there is a belief in certain circles that if you change the name of something very bad, it will cease to be bad. The notorious labour brokers are now euphemistically being referred to as "employment agencies". Labour brokers or private agencies do not contribute to the objective of more jobs, decent work and sustainable livelihood.
Azapo has said before that labour brokers do not create jobs. They just tell the job seekers where the jobs are, but unlike placement agencies do not bring the prospective employers and job seekers together. We have been part of the call for a complete ban of labour brokers. The employment relationship is and must remain a relationship between the employer and employees. There must be no third party lurking in the shadows.
We have followed the debate on labour brokers or employment agencies. There are those who believe that regulating labour brokers will squeeze them out of existence. They call on us not to support the Bill as it would lead to their death. They say it is a sophisticated way of banning them. Azapo is not convinced.
Hon Minister, we do not agree with you, just as we do not agree with the argument by hon Mubu of the DA. Azapo will not be party to a process that legitimises labour brokers. We will not legitimise a group that has exploited the workers of our land. We hear that workers will no longer be charged. In fact, they are not being charged now; the employer is being charged, except that the employer docks the worker's pay for the money that is transferred to the labour brokers. We do not want labour brokers. So, we will not support this Bill. Thank you. [Applause.]