Hon Speaker and hon members, the Framework Agreement that was concluded a year ago between government and our social partners has provided relief for many citizens who have been affected by the global economic crisis. The measures that have been introduced include the following. In February 2009 government announced that there was an amount of R87 billion for infrastructure programmes. This was increased to R846 billion in the 2010 Budget Speech. Through the Expanded Public Works Programme and other associated measures, many have been able to obtain work opportunities.
You will be aware that South Africa introduced its first ever Training Lay- off Scheme, with R2,9 billion being made available for its implementation. The scheme is aimed at providing companies with an alternative to the retrenchment of workers during a period of industrial slack caused by the recession in order to enable employees to continue having an income, employment security and skills acquisition.
This scheme has been actively promoted as an alternative to retrenchment. The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, the CCMA, incorporated the Training Lay-off Scheme into a holistic approach in order to prevent job losses. In total, 15 000 jobs have been saved since the scheme was introduced.
Another key intervention includes R6,1 billion set aside by the Industrial Development Corporation, the IDC, in the form of special loans for firms in distress, and R2 billion has been allocated by the Unemployment Insurance Fund, the UIF, to the IDC to be loaned to firms in distress.
Partners also approved development sector packages through the National Economic Development and Labour Council, Nedlac, for industries in distress, such as the automobile, clothing and textile industries, and the capital equipment, transport equipment and metal fabrication sectors.
The Framework Agreement Leadership Group also agreed to strict conditions for businesses that use state funding in order to prevent abuse. The conditions include constraints in relation to executive pay, restrictions on retrenchment, commitment to local procurement and social dialogue between labour and business at the workplace.
In a move to further save jobs, the SA Revenue Service seized 750 tons of clothing and textile products that had been smuggled into the country from raids on 88 premises. These were conducted as part of a nationwide enforcement initiative. An estimated 1 400 jobs have been saved as a result of these actions.
As a key poverty alleviation measure, the child support grant is now being extended to children up to the age of 18 years. Children over the age of 15 years who receive the child support grant are expected to be at school or college, and measures will be taken to monitor this. Thank you, hon Speaker. [Applause.]