I hope my one minute will come back. The challenges of service delivery as the CCMA grows in size and volume are a reality, with mounting logistical challenges. The CCMA's case load has already exceeded expectations, not only in terms of the increasing volume of cases, but also in terms of their complexity, as a result of the rising body of legal precedents bearing upon the adjudication process. There has long been a debate about the nature of what these legal precedents present as an important opportunity for the CCMA to review its methodology.
In the past year, ending February 2010, there were 158 000 more contributors on the database of the UIF, compared to the end of March 2009, amounting to 7,7 million workers. However, the UIF paid benefits to 746 342 beneficiaries in the total amount of R5,3 billion. This is a 71% increase in unemployment benefit payments when compared to the previous year. This is a clear indication of the impact of the current economic crisis and job losses of the past year, as indicated earlier.
The UIF has also allocated a sum of R2 billion to the Industrial Development Corporation to enable it to help companies in distress. During these difficult economic circumstances the presence of a reliable social protection system becomes a necessity.
It is thus important to have measures in place to cushion the effects of harsh economic conditions. For the year ending March 2009, there were 300 000 more contributors - 7,6 million. The committee supports the Budget Vote. [Time expired.] [Applause.]