Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon Mazibuko. Recently at Nedlac an accord was signed by all sectors - that is organised labour, organised employers, the community chamber, as well as government - and part of that agreement provides for recognition of temporary workers as apprentices. In other words, the employers approached government and complained that they could not contribute to the training of new entrants to the labour market because, in the past, the requirement was that once you employ someone on a temporary basis, within three months that person should be taken on board as a full-time employee and not as an apprentice. So, this matter was referred to Nedlac. It was debated, discussed and an accord was signed, so there is an agreement which now allows for young people to gain experience - requisite experience - by being taken on board.
It is a signed accord; it is binding. The Minister of Economic Development, Minister Patel, was the main driver of that, because in our focus to try and create jobs it is important for us to address all the bottlenecks. Anything that would impede the entry of young people to the labour market should be addressed. Therefore, the amendments cannot be carried through if the practical effect of those amendments to the Labour Relations Act, as well as Basic Conditions of Employment Act, thwarts this effort of ensuring that young people can be absorbed and so gain the requisite experience in the work milieu. Thank you. [Applause.]