Minister of Labour Membathisi Mdladlana advised unemployed workers
at Richardsbay in KwaZulu-Natal to establish a Skills Development Forum
as a mechanism to facilitate and channel existing social development
funds towards skills development and job creation projects in the
area.
Minister Mdladlana made the announcement in Richardsbay on Friday
during the third leg of his five-day official visit to the
province.
Addressing more than 500 unemployed locals Minister Mdladlana said
that unemployment was a cause for concern for all including government,
business and community organisations.
He said government remains committed to the 2003 Growth and
Development Summit agreement with business and organized labour to take
72 000 young unemployed people in learnerships by May 2004.
"As government we are resolute on our commitment to training and
developing young unemployed people not just to place them in paying
jobs but to also ensure that they become successful entrepreneurs",
Minister Mdladlana said.
"My advice to the unemployed is to approach the Department of Labour
centers and provide us with suggestions on how job creation projects
can be created and also on the kinds of skills they may need", he
added.
The Minister said he was appalled to hear that certain companies in
the Richardsbay area would not employ local people.
He also assured workers that the Department would look into
allegations that certain employers in the area were forcing work
seekers to undergo a compulsory medical examination for jobs.
"It's our prerogative as the Department of Labour to protect workers
and the unemployed against any form of exploitation and discrimination
and also to ensure that allegations of unacceptable labour practices
are investigated and necessary steps taken", he said.
The Minister also assured that he would make an appeal to businesses
in the area to actively participate in skills development of youth by
taking at least one learner in their workplace.
"If each one of the companies in Richardsbay could take at least one
learner in their employ for a year then the problem of youth
unemployment in the area could decrease exponentially", he said.
During the visit Minister Mdladlana also addressed a meeting of the
Black Management Forum and small and medium businesses where he
emphasized SMMEs? role in skills development and the creation of jobs
to absorb young unemployed people.
Referring to earlier calls by Freedom Front Plus leader Corne Mulder
to scrap the Employment Equity Act, the Minister said the ANC
government had no intention of repealing the Act until such time that
the country is rid of all forms of discrimination and it is fully
transformed.
The Minister rounded off his visit by speaking to local farm workers
at Gingindlovu, where he reiterated government's unwavering stance on
sectoral determination saying minimum wage for farm workers was a
necessity .
