Chairperson, Mr V B Ndlovu is a member of this committee. He is not here today and has asked me to represent him. He is busy with many thousands of enthusiastic and loyal IFP supporters organising for the next elections. [Laughter.]
I have been informed that the results that they got proved beyond reasonable doubt that the IFP will be the next government of South Africa in three years' time. [Laughter.] Minister, the good news is that when we are in government, in 2014, we will keep you as the Minister of Labour.
I wish to congratulate the Minister and tell her that in respect of her maiden speech we had a discussion to give her marks. We have given her 10 out of 10.
I want to start by asking: Are our trade unions doing what is in the best interest of the economy of our land, or not? Is it desirable that a gun be held to industry's head every single year for above-inflation wage deals, so much so that South Africa is now renowned for its strike season?
Unions seeking up to 20% wage increases when there is approximately a 4% inflation rate are opportunistic, and it is unsustainable. It will only serve to deter investment in our country from abroad and it will ultimately result in fewer jobs for our people in South Africa.
With regard to Nedlac, the IFP proposes that the minimum threshold margins for trade unions in Nedlac be revisited. This will allow the entry of smaller unions to replace the current monopoly of only three large unions.
Regarding the proposed manipulation of demographics by certain political parties in order to create certain political territorial advantages, we think it is shallow and the people who propose such practices have no place in labour.
Job creation for our youth is obviously critical. Idle hands are the devil's playground. We have a responsibility to ensure that we provide the youth with ample opportunities for entry into the work place. Our trade unions, through their actions, do not realise that they are stifling the creation of jobs by deterring foreign investment and thus hindering and not helping the process.
The IFP recognises the efforts of professional labour brokers and the services they provide in the employment field. They are necessary and must be clearly differentiated from what is called the smash-and-grab labour broker operators whose operations should be stopped. The inflow of foreign labour is also political, particularly with the recent unrest at Medupi power station as a case in point. We should see a government that puts South African workers first. We should not import labour for positions for which we have a local force available.
The culture of entrepreneurship must be further strengthened and developed, particularly amongst our youth, adults and new entrants to the job market. The existing entrepreneurship should be supported when diversifying into different economic sectors. Government support of entrepreneurship is vital to our economic recovery as well as to sustainable economic growth. The IFP urges this department to use every available resource to promote its growth.
We wish the hon Minister and her department the best of luck for the new year. We thank her and the department for what they have done in the past. I end by saying we support the Budget Vote only because of the Minister!