Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the Deputy President for his response. Understandably, there is a great deal of concern in the public, particularly given the job loss figures that you cited, and I am happy that the government acknowledges the 107 000 jobs that were lost in the last year. There is a great deal of concern about the amendments to the Labour Relations Act and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, which are set to be coming down the tracks into the legislature this year.
The major concern is around the issue of clamping down on short-term and temporary contracts, because we know that this will significantly restrict the ability of the economy to absorb first-time workers, young workers, unskilled workers, and, in particular, workers who don't have previous work experience. It is a well-known fact, Mr Speaker, that you cannot get a job without experience, and you cannot get experience without a job. Will the Deputy President confirm whether or not these provisions are contained in the draft amendments to this legislation and, if so, how does he plan within these envisioned constraints to deliver on his mandate as the head of the Short-term Job Creation Commission? Thank you. [Applause.]