That sounds like in America. But, I will pray for you. You know that some of the sectors that are affected are mining and manufacturing. In particular, the workers within the National Union of Metalworkers, Numsa, are the ones who made the first approach in relation to the training for layoffs.
I can also inform the hon members here, that there are many trade unions that have taken decisions about short time in order to make sure that the company doesn't go bust. We really need to commend those trade unions that participated in taking those decisions. What we are now doing is merely to say that for the two days or one day that the workers have no work to do, they must be trained.
We are in dark times now, but I know that the sun will shine again. And when it does, you must not run around and start looking for people to train, saying that there are no skills in the country. Start training the workers now. This is the opportunity for employers to train their workers. That's exactly what we are encouraging our employers to do.
The same applies to the construction industry, my brother. In terms of the agreement that they reached during collective bargaining, they have formed task teams to discuss relevant programmes and issues such as what's going to happen to some of those workers.
Of course, you know, people in the construction industry are not employed on a permanent basis. When the building has been finished, the worker goes and looks for a job elsewhere. You know that; you have been leading one of the best trade unions in the country. I don't know why you left it. [Time expired.]
Particulars regarding awarding of a contract to render services for presidential inauguration
84. Mr M W Rabotapi (DA) asked the Minister of Public Works:
(1) Whether a certain company (name furnished) was awarded a contract to render services for the presidential inauguration on 9 May 2009; if so,
(2) whether this contract was awarded on the basis of a public tender process; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many tenders were received, (b) from whom, (c) what amounts were tendered in each case, (d) in which edition of the Government Tender Bulletin was the (i) tender advertised and (ii) successful tender announced and (e) what criteria were used to assess the capabilities of the said company with regard to (i) service delivery, (ii) price and (iii) the sustainability of the services to be supplied;
(3) whether his department has paid the said company in full; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NO1398E