Annual Report of the Portfolio Committee on Labour for 2005, dated 31 January 2006:

1. COMMITTEE: Portfolio Committee on Labour

Chairperson: Ms OR Kasienyane

Committee Secretary: Ms P Jayiya

2. Chairperson’s Overview

The Committee had during the period under review worked hard to achieve its objectives of exercising oversight over the Department of Labour and public entities falling under it. Much was done in monitoring effective implementation of legislation and service delivery. Greater focus was aimed at monitoring the activities and progress made by the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), compliance with occupational health and safety legislation, as well as matters related to employment equity. Monitoring the Growth and Development Summit (GDS) agreements will remain a focus to the Committee. Nonetheless, the Committee could not do as much as it wished in certain areas due to financial constraints. Opportunities should be made available for Committee members to strengthen their capacity on the oversight role through the sharing of experiences and expertise with their counterparts in other parts of the continent and the world. With adequate resources and time, the Committee will manage to fulfil its mandate efficiently and effectively.

I wish to extend my thanks to the Committee for its support during the year, and hope for the best during the coming year.

3. List of entities overseen by Committee:

Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA)
National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC)
Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)
Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs)
Umsobomvu Youth Fund (UYF)
National Productivity Institute (NPI)
Compensation Fund

4. Legislation referred: None

5. Papers (International Agreements, Protocols, Reports) referred

6. Oversight / Local visits

Visit to Sasol Natref Plant

Objectives

To conduct a fact-finding mission on the blast that occurred in the Sasolburg plant, as well as check compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Dates: 3-4 Feb 2005

Delegation: Ms OR Kasienyane (ANC)
Mr OM Mogale (ANC)
Ms LN Moss (ANC)
Mr AS Mshudulu (ANC)
Mr MJG Mzondeki (ANC)
Mr SM Rasmeni (ANC)
Mr RK Henderson (DA)
Mr CM Lowe (DA)
Prince NE Zulu (IFP)
Ms P Jayiya (Committee Secretary)

Province visited: Gauteng

Date of adoption of the report: 9 Sep 2005

Date of publication in the ATC: 15 Sep 2005

Debate in the House: Report not debated


National Conference in Skills Development

Objective:

The committee was invited by the Department of Labour to attend the launch of the National Skills Development Strategy 2005-2009

Dates: 3-4 Mar 2005

Delegation: Ms OR Kasienyane (ANC)
Mr TG Anthony (ANC)
Ms TE Lishivha (ANC
Mr LD Maduma (ANC)
Mr OM Mogale (ANC)
Ms LN Moss (ANC)
Mr MJG Mzondeki (ANC)
Ms ND Ngcengwane (ANC)
Mr GG Oliphant (ANC)
Mr SM Rasmeni (ANC)
Mr RK Henderson (DA)
Mr M Lowe (DA)
Prince NE Zulu (IFP)
Mr T Godi (PAC)
Ms S Rajbally (MF)

Province visited: Gauteng

Date of adoption of report: No report

Visit to the Chamber of Mines

Objectives:

* To get an insight into the role and functions of the Chamber of Mines
* To address issues and challenges in the mining industry concerning labour matters

Dates: 20-21 June 2005

Delegation: Ms OR Kasienyane (ANC)
Mr T Anthony (ANC)
Mr L Maduma (ANC)
Ms LN Moss (ANC)
Mr MJG Mzondeki (ANC)
Ms ND Ngcengwane (ANC)
Mr SM Rasmeni (ANC)
Mr RK Henderson (DA)
Mr CM Lowe (DA)
Prince NE Zulu (IFP)
Mr N Godi (PAC)
Mr WD Spies (FFP)

Staff: Ms P Jayiya (Committee Secretary)
Ms CB Paulse (Committee Assistant)

Province: Gauteng & Mpumalanga
Report still to be adopted by the Portfolio Committees on Health and on Labour

7. International Visits

International Labour Conference

Objectives of the trip: To provide an opportunity for members to participate in a global forum where social and labour questions of importance to the entire world, including South Africa, are discussed.

Dates: 6-16 June 2005

Delegation: Ms OR Kasienyane (ANC)
Mr LD Maduma (ANC)
Mr CM Lowe (DA)

Staff: Ms P Jayiya (Committee Secretary)

Country visited: Switzerland

Date of adoption of report: 8 Nov 2005
Date of publication: 14 Nov 2005
Tabling in the House: 14 Nov 2005

8. Budget Vote

Referral date: 2 Mar 2005
Briefing by department: 15 Mar 2005
Date of publication of report: 31 Mar 2005

9. Annual Report for the Executive

Referral date: 9 Sep 2005
Briefing by DOL: 12 Oct 2005


Hearing conducted with entities:

14-10-2005 - Health & Welfare SETA, Bank SETA and Diplomacy, Intelligence, Defence and Trade Education & Training Authority (DIDTETA) on their 2004-05 annual reports

17-10-2005 - Energy SETA, Local Government & Water SETA and the Chemical SETA on their 2004-05 annual reports

18-10-2005 - Mining Qualification Authority (MQA), Media, Advertising, Printing, Packaging and Publishing SETA and the Construction SETA on their 2004-05 annual reports

19-10-2005 - Insurance SETA, Transport SETA, Tourism & Hospitality SETA and Primary and Secondary Agriculture SETAs on their 2004-05 annual reports

20-10-2005 - Finance and Accounting Services SETA, Education, Training and Development SETA and Wholesale & Retail SETA on their 2004-05 annual reports

21-10-2005 - Commission for Conciliation, Mediation & Arbitration (CCMA) on its 2004-05 annual report

25-10-2005 - Umsobomvu Youth Fund on its 2004-05 annual report

28-10-2005 - NEDLAC on its 2004-05 annual report

01-11-2005 - Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and Compensation Fund on their 2004-05 annual reports

04-11-2005 - National Productivity Institute (NPI) on its 2004-05 annual report

Date of publication of report: 15 Nov 2005

10. Other committee activities

08-02-2005 - Adoption of the report on the visits to the Northern Cape and North-West Provinces, and adoption of minutes and committee programme

15-02-2005 - Meeting with labour representatives from Sasol on safety matters

22-02-2005 - Meeting with management of Sasol

01-03-2005 - Briefing by DOL on integrated workplan for 2005-06.

15-03-2005 - Briefing by DOL on programmes and budget vote

18-03-2005 - Briefing by National Productivity Institute, Compensation Fund and Umsobomvu Youth Fund

31-03-2005 - Adoption of report on budget vote

12-04-2005 - Briefing by NEDLAC on its work programme for 2005.
17-05-2005 - Briefing by DOL on ILO activities.

31-05-2005 - Briefing by DOL on 2004-05 annual report of Commission on Employment Equity

01-06-2005 - Briefing by the Black Management Forum (BMF), Commission on Gender Equality (CGE), Disabled People of SA (DPSA) on progress regarding the implementation of employment equity

03-06-2005 - Meeting with Vice-President of Columbia

07-06-2005 - Briefing by CCMA on its annual report

14-06-2005 - Briefing by DITSELA on its activities

02-08-2005 - Briefing by Business Unity of South Africa

12-08-2005 - Briefing by the National Skills Authority (NSA) and National Skills Fund (NSF)

16-08-2005 - Consideration of the Committee reports on the 93^rd International Labour Conference and the Annual Report of the Commission on Employment Equity

23-08-2005 - Briefing by the Public Service SETA, Financial Services SETA and Services SETA on their programmes

30-08-2005 - Briefing by the Chemical SETA, Food & Beverage SETA and Metal and Engineering SETA on their activities

06-09-2005 - Briefing by National Skills Fund and National Skills Authority on funding of training institutions

09-09-2005 - Adoption of the reports on the visit to Natref in Sasolburg and employment equity briefings

13-09-2005 - Workshop in preparation for consideration of Annual Reports of Departments and public entities.

11-10-2005 - Preparatory meeting for extended briefings on the evaluation of annual reports.

15-11-2005 - Adoption of the report on processes of consideration of annual reports, Committee’s annual report and the programme for the first term in 2006.

11. Committee budget:

Budget allocated to Committee: R 497, 886,00
Expenditure:

Catering: R 30,017. 80
Provincial Visits: R 123,550.10
Overseas Trips: R 112,792.80
Transfers to staff travel R 28,850.00
Training R Nil

Total Expenditure: R 295,210.70

Balance available: R 202,675.30


12. Outstanding matters: Adoption of the report of the Portfolio Committee on Labour on the visit to the Chamber of Mines

Adoption of instruments referred for consideration and report

13. Master attendance register