Chairperson and Minister, the UDM supports the Budget. This debate must be seen in the context of the current state of the South African economy. Public Works is at the forefront of government job creation initiatives, especially in the construction industry. Unfortunately the latest economic data paints a grim picture. Unemployment has risen in the past quarter, as 171 000 jobs have been lost and the number of potential productive adults who are jobless stands at 35%. That is a staggering 6 million unemployed people. The construction sector has seen a decline in jobs since the completion of the World Cup projects.
One major concern is the shortage of skills within the department. The long- term solution is a skills audit within government, since this issue cuts across all departments. The private sector should be involved in the process. We would also argue that service providers such as consultants and contractors of the department should provide opportunities for interns, apprentices and professional interns. We believe that such a policy will require monitoring and tracking, but it could play a vital role in creating jobs and enhancing the skills available to the department.
It is shocking that government still does not have a proper asset register despite this being a long-standing issue. The Construction Industry Development Board needs to be restructured, because it has failed to uplift contractors since most of them are still stuck in grade one where the board placed them upon registration. The current board needs to be changed so that the emerging contractors are represented.
One major issue is the nonpayment of contractors within 30 days. It does not really affect public works nationally, but it affects public works at a provincial level.
Abantu balamba izisu zithi nca emqolo, bade bafe kodwa banemali. Abanye sele kungaphezu konyaka bengabhatalwa. Baninzi abafileyo Mphathiswa. Siyakucela siyi-UDM ukuba ungenelele kule ngxaki. Yingxaki ebetha ilizwe lonke, ebetha nezi kon traka. Sisicelo esisenzayo eso. Enkosi. [Kwaqhwatywa.] (Translation of isiXhosa paragraph follows.)
[People are dying of hunger and they are dying whilst waiting for their monies. Some have been waiting for their payments for more than a year now. Hon Minister, a large number of people has since died. We as the UDM appeal for your intervention. This is a challenge for the whole country and it also affects these contractors. That is our request. Thank you. [Applause.]