Committee Report on ArcelorMittal Oversight Visit; Committee Programme

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Employment and Labour

17 March 2021
Chairperson: Ms M Dunjwa (ANC)
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Meeting Summary

Tabled Committee Reports

The Committee adopted its Committee Report on ArcelorMittal Oversight Visit.

The Committee will be meeting on the resolution passed by the National Assembly on the plight of farm workers that this Committee and the Agriculture Portfolio Committee must submit a report on by November 2021 to the House. There will be a joint committee meeting to discuss this on 19 March 2021.

The Committee will be meeting during the April constituency period as it must not delay processing the two bills it has before it. The Committee will hold public hearings on the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Amendment Bill on 13  to 15 April 2021 and on the Employment Equity Amendment Bill from 20 to 22 April 2021.

Meeting report

Committee Report on Oversight Visit to ArcelorMittal steel plant
The Chairperson took the Committee through the report on its oversight visit to the ArcelorMittal steel plant where three workers died following an explosion on 17 February 2021. The aim of the visit was to get a better understanding of how and why the incident took place.

The Chairperson said that she and the Committee members on the oversight visit were able to do a walkabout to observe the site where the incident happened whilst abiding to Covid 19 regulations.

Mr M Nontsele (ANC) thanked the delegation that went on the plant visit. This visit was necessary because it is the responsibility of the Committee to do appropriate oversight visits and support the Department and its leadership, the Minister and Deputy Minister. The sense so far after looking at the report is that the observations and recommendations are hamstrung by the absence of findings, making it difficult to foretell what the investigation outcomes are going to be. Other than this, recommendations on the areas that need urgent attention, are supported.

Ms C Mkhonto (EFF) thanked the Chairperson and Committee members that went on the oversight visit. She referred to the recommendation that the Department briefs the Committee on the progress of the 90 day investigation. She asked from when they should start counting these 90 days or will the Department indicate this.

The Chairperson replied that she does not recall asking the Department from when the 90 days should be counted, although they had agreed that a report, whether it be a preliminary report, should be completed by the end of the 90 days. This would allow for an extension of the investigation if challenges arise. The Committee had requested that the investigation should not be open-ended. The Chairperson apologized for not gaining clarity on the start of the 90 days and thanked her for raising an important question. The Committee will interact with the Department to gain more clarity.

The Chairperson stated that the Committee will table the report for now. Once the Committee receives the preliminary investigation, Members will be notified.

The Committee formally adopted the report.

Motions tabled by EFF and ANC on the plight of farm workers
A motion was tabled by the EFF on the plight of farm workers, by Mr Matiase. There was a counter motion by the ANC tabled by Ms Tshabalala. The House passed a resolution that both relevant Portfolio Committees must discuss the matter and table a report by the end of November 2021 in the House. In that context, there is likely to be a joint Portfolio Committee meeting on 19 March and Members were requested to indicate to the secretary if they are going to be available

Public hearings on COID Amendment Bill and Employment Equity Amendment Bill
The Chairperson stated that the Committee had started processing two Bills: Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Amendment Bill and Employment Equity Amendment Bill. The Committee has received 17 requests from individuals and companies that want to submit oral submissions to the Committee on the COID Amendment Bill, 15 of these are on the Employment Equity Amendment Bill.

Committee Programme
The Chairperson stated that the Committee had received a notice from the Office of the National Assembly House Chairperson, Mr C Frolick, which explains the proceedings for the next quarter. The notice requested that Committees that have pending legislation must indicate this.

The Committee had indicated this and made a formal application to the House Chairperson how they will move forward. It was suggested that the Committee deal with the submissions on COID Amendment Bill on 13  to 15 April 2021. The oral submissions on the Employment Equity Amendment Bill will take place from 20 to 22 April 2021.

The Chairperson took the Committee through the request made by House Chairperson which states that the Committee members need to avail themselves for these meeting dates during the April constituency period. The Committees cannot delay the processing of these bills as it will have a negative effect. This is one of the lessons learned from the Fifth Parliament where bills were not completed and had to flow over to the Sixth Parliament. The Committee will have to balance their constituency work with their Committee work to deal with the processing of bills in a timely manner. She appealed to Members to attend or indicate their apologies as the rules of the legislation process must be followed and they cannot be having a bill sent back to the Committee for not being processed properly.

The Chairperson made the Committee aware that they will not be able to conduct any oversight visits until the bills have been processed. The Committees should be aware that these bills are Section 75 which is a national competence and of importance. This means that the Committee will not travel to any provinces until these bills are processed.

Mr Bagraim (DA) commented that the 13 to 15 April are the first three days of Ramadan. The fear is that this might be a bit of a problem, as it is the most religious time of the year.

The Chairperson thanked Mr Bagraim for informing the Committee of this. The dates will then be circulated to those who are making oral submissions and discussed as soon as possible. The Committee is warned that dates may change if there are any issues with the current schedule.

The Committee adopted the circulated the minutes of 3, 10, 12, 13, 16, 19 February 2021, 10 March 2021.

The meeting was adjourned.
 

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