Chairperson, Minister, I cannot imagine a more impossible job than yours, where the same policies and laws designed to bring about equity actually undermines its very purpose. I know that you are sincere in trying to create a better working environment for this country's people, but there are fundamental defects that deserve your attention as well.
Alles is darem nie slegte nuus nie. Die verandering in die Wet op Basiese Diensvoorwaardes wat bepaal dat persone wat gelyke werk doen gelyk vergoed moet word, verdien wel 'n pluimpie. Ongelyke behandeling van gelyke werknemers op grond van ras en geslag is verkeerd. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Not all the news is bad news, however. The amendment to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, which provides that persons doing the same job should be remunerated equally, does indeed deserve a pat on the back. Unequal treatment of equal employees on the basis of race and gender is wrong.]
However, we still see the need for a Regulatory Impact Analysis, RIA, report on the labour law amendments as a whole.
Minister, daar is verdere probleme. [Minister, there are some further problems.]
While the labour regime has done much to protect individuals from exploitation, it increasingly has a negative effect on our economy due to its inflexibility. Minister Pravin Gordhan acknowledges this as well. We must therefore find a balance between protecting those with jobs and those without jobs. While the unions are fighting for their working members, we are left to wonder who is fighting for the jobless.
Suid-Afrika se arbeidsuitdagings is natuurlik ook gekoppel aan die groot werkloosheidsprobleem. Terwyl die ANC praat van 'n inklusiewe ekonomie, het ons nie een nie. Daar is baie werklose mense wat nie 'n bydrae kan lewer nie en daardie komponent van mense bestaan uit alle kleure. Dit is egter kommerwekkend dat al hoe meer wittes en bruinmense nie meer werk kan kry nie, want hulle is nie swart genoeg volgens die ANC-beleid nie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[South Africa's labour challenges are naturally also linked to the big unemployment problem. While the ANC talks about an inclusive economy, we lack one. There are many unemployed people who cannot make a contribution, and that component of people consists of all colours. It is disturbing that more and more white and coloured people cannot get work anymore, because they are not black enough, according to the ANC policy.]
Minister, with regard to equity, even if the ANC fires all of the white and coloured people in South Africa from their jobs, as they are defined by ANC laws, there will still not be enough jobs for the black community. So, what does that mean? We are on dangerous ground when existing jobs are merely redistributed. We need to grow the economy to create an inclusive one where poverty is completely eradicated. It is dangerous to exclude minorities in a democracy. Just ask the National Union of Mineworkers, NUM, who has become a minority union.
Daarom wil ek graag twee voorstelle aan die Minister maak. Eerstens, beskerm wit vrouens en wit gestremde persone deur te sorg dat hulle deel van die aangewese groep bly in terme van indiensneming, maar ook by bemagting. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Therefore, I gladly wish to make two suggestions to the Minister. Firstly, protect white women and white disabled persons by ensuring that they remain part of the designated group in terms of employment, but also in terms of empowerment.]
Secondly, when implementing affirmative action, change the law so that positions cannot remain unfilled when an appropriate AA candidate can't be found. This is one of the fundamental reasons why so many state positions remain open, which results in poor service delivery. Make use of the new state employment agency to recruit qualified white and coloured persons to fill key positions that impact on service delivery, otherwise the poorest of the poor will suffer the most.
Lastly, to grow the economy, we suggest the following implementation of the special economic zones contemplated by Minister Davies. These zones should suspend race-based and minimum wage policies to ensure a free-market area that can grow without these structural hurdles. Anyone who seeks out a job can decide to work there as many jobs will be created. Those who wish to seek out a safe, yet scarce job can decide to stay outside of the zone.
Minister, daar is antwoorde vir ons probleme en die VF Plus sal graag in die verband met u verder wil gesels. Dankie. [Minister, there are answers to our problems and the FF Plus would like to have further discussions with you in this regard. Thank you.]