Chairperson, it is a pleasure to serve on this committee. The fact that many decisions are made by consensus is testimony to the pragmatic mindset of the committee members under the very able and, dare I say, entertaining leadership of its chair, Ms Fubbs. It is quite appropriate to thank her for always listening to my comments and advice and acting thereon.
Minister, soos u weet, is u departement die enjinkamer van die land se ekonomie. Die hardnekkige probleem wat ons in die gesig staar, is die feit dat werkloosheid nie verminder nie. 'n Mens kry die indruk dat min van die planne wat gemaak word 'n substantiewe, positiewe effek het. Dit is vir ons kommerwekkend, en daarom wil die VF Plus 'n paar voorstelle maak. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Minister, as you are aware, your department is the engine room of the country's economy. The persistent problem that is facing us is the fact that the level of unemployment is not declining. One gets the impression that few of the plans that are being made have a substantive and positive effect. It is disturbing, and therefore the FF Plus wants to make a couple of proposals.]
Many of the structural problems in the economy have been created by government. This department has been a prolific creator of legislation, whether new or amending, that imposes layers of bureaucratic burden on businesses. One pending piece of legislation, the Licensing of Businesses Bill, is so far-reaching that it will kill off the informal sector if implemented unchanged. We need less red tape so that society, especially the poor, can spontaneously create businesses for themselves as opportunities arise.
Die industrialiseringsplan lyk belowend, maar die sukses daarvan is onderhewig aan die sukses van 'n effektiewe vervaardigingsektor. Die feit is dat die gebrek aan effektiwiteit baie te doen het met ons streng arbeidswetgewing. Dit word bewys deur die rand se wisselkoers. Sodra dit laag is, kan ons meeding met ander lande. Sodra dit styg, bestaan daar nie meer aansporings wat ons produkte mededingend maak nie. Die wisselkoers en ho arbeidskoste word dan saam 'n struikelblok tot effektiewe internasionale mededinging. Daarom moet die Minister met sy kollega by Arbeid gesels oor hoe om die probleem die hoof te bied. Selfs die Minister van Finansies deel hierdie siening. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[The industrialisation plan looks promising, but the success thereof depends on the success of an effective manufacturing sector. The fact is that the lack of effectiveness has a lot to do with our strict labour legislation. It is proven by the rand's exchange rate. When it is in decline, we are able to compete with other countries. When it increases, there is no incentives that make our products competitive. The exchange rate and high labour costs together then become a stumbling block to effective international competition. Therefore, the Minister must talk to his colleague at Labour about ways to solve the problem. Even the Minister of Finance shares this view.]
The economy will also grow when it is truly inclusive. Therefore, the implications of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Amendment Bill, whereby white women and people with disabilities will be excluded from being taken into account for BEE scoring, are extremely worrisome. This sends the negative message to people who can contribute to building the economy that they are not welcome here.
The Minister has also inherited restrictive regulations that prohibit the establishment of certain industries. However, should they be amended, they could create many jobs. I have now for almost a year tried to obtain an audience with the Minister regarding this, but to no avail. I know the Minister is busy, but surely a Member of Parliament must be able to see the Minister on such an important matter as job creation.
Laastens wil ons 'n pleidooi lewer dat die Minister opnuut kyk hoe SunSpace as 'n hovlaktegnologie-werkgewer geakkommodeer kan word binne die Aksieplan vir Nywerheidsbeleid, Ipap, in plaas daarvan dat die maatskappy opgebreek en by Denel genkorporeer word. Hierdie maatskappy kan baie nuwe wetenskaplikes en ingenieurs oplei, buitelandse valuta deur satellietverkope inbring en die ekonomiese golf van die ruimtenywerheid tot voordeel van die land ry. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Lastly, we want to make a plea to the Minister to once again look at ways in which SunSpace can be accommodated as a high level technological employer within the Industrial Policy Action Plan, Ipap, instead of dismantling the company and incorporating it into Denel. This company can train many new scientists and engineers, bring in foreign exchange through satellite sales and ride the economic wave of the space industry to the advantage of the country.]
We hope the Minister will attend to these matters for the sake of our economy. Thank you, Chair. [Applause.]