Unemployment strips people of their dignity, and leaves them vulnerable and deprived of a secure future. That is why the Department of Employment and Labour has one of the most important mandates in South Africa.
Amid the volatile political environment in which South Africa currently finds itself, a focused effort along with enough political will is needed to make the changes necessary to give millions of unemployed people hope.
The implementation of turn-around strategies in the Department, such as ministerial oversight for the Compensation Fund (CF) and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), is welcomed. However, if these entities are not put through a thorough clean-up and turn-around process to improve, among other things, administration and service delivery, any improvements will be short-lived.
It is alarming that the budget of the already cash-strapped Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) has been reduced even further.
This is basically the only entity in the entire Department that is functioning satisfactorily despite financial and other constraints.
The CCMA’s role in ensuring fair labour practices, healthy labour relations and the fair treatment of workers in general has to be upheld.
In contrast, the role and budget of white-elephant entities, such as Productivity South Africa, which serve no real purpose should be revisited with the aim of bolstering, among others, the CCMA.
The time has also come to stop making empty promises, but take decisive action to improve the fate of people with disabilities.
The functioning and expenses of the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) also require urgent attention. At this stage, SITA’s ineptitude is hindering rather than helping many government departments’ functioning.
In addition, the implications that the Employment Equity Amendment Act will have in practice remain to be seen.
Although eradicating discrimination in the workplace is one of the Department’s policy mandates, it cannot be achieved while discrimination against certain people is prescribed by this law.
It is time to stop discrimination in the name of redress. It is time to make real changes to give the people of this country hope again.
