Seta Briefings Preparations; Provincial Visits Report and Committee Programme: adoption

Meeting report

LABOUR PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
3 AUGUST 2004
SETA BRIEFINGS PREPARATIONS; PROVINCIAL VISITS REPORT AND COMMITTEE PROGRAMME: ADOPTION

Chairperson: Ms O Kasienyane (ANC)

Documents handed out
92nd International Labour Conference Report
Committee Report on Eastern Cape visit, 16-18 November 2003
Committee Report on provincial visits, 17 November 2003 - 1^st draft
Committee Report on SETAs public hearings
Committee Programme, 11 May to 16 November 2003

SUMMARY
The Chairperson announced the postponement of the adoption of the Committee Budget Report and the Chairperson election because the necessary quorum was not present. She asked Members to consider the documentation ahead of the presentation meeting with the eight Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).

The Chair also suggested Members have a workshop about the Department and a briefing on labour matters. The Committee mentioned that cross-boundary northern areas and rural districts of the Western Cape particularly needed attention.

MINUTES
The Chairperson announced the postponement of the adoption of the Committee Budget Report and the Chairperson election because the necessary quorum was not present. She said Members needed to prepare for the presentation meeting with the eight Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).

Mr T Anthony asked whether the eight SETAs had been those that participated in the public hearings or had been selected based on performance.

The Chairperson said 25 SETAs had been established thus far; but the Committee was meeting with eight at a time.

Ms P Jayiya (Committee Secretary) reported that the Department, as recommended by the last Committee, had identified SETAs that had performed well and badly. The Committee had agreed to meet eight at a time each year.

Mr L Maduma (ANC) asked whether Members would have informational documents from the SETAs before the meeting. Ms Jayiya said notice had been sent to the SETAs to do so.

The Chairperson commented that since the Minister had been concerned with the performance of some SETAs, it was important to clarify the report before the Committee met with them. She thought the report on the provincial visits to Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape on 16-19 November 2003, could have been tabled for consideration. However Members had to decide whether the reports needed to be revived and possibly sent back to the provinces for more details.

Mr Anthony said it was important to ascertain why the report had been put on hold. Again, Members needed to verify if any resolutions had been taken at the time. He further asked whether Members had to prioritise areas visited based on some development policy.

Ms L Moss (ANC) said Members needed to consider the provincial visit report and make recommendations.

The Committee Secretary said the purpose of circulating the report of previous visits was to highlight projects of the previous Committee to avoid duplication

The Chairperson commented that it was necessary to review the provincial visits reports to account for monies spent, especially if Members had to visit other provinces. The report had many loopholes. She also suggested Members have a workshop about the Department and a briefing on labour matters. Ms Ngcengwane (ANC) and Mr R Henderson (DA) welcomed this workshop.

Mr Maduma asked whether it was the SETAs responsibility to establish SMMEs forums. The Chairperson said she was not aware of that and thought Members ought to consider it. She also asked if Members had thought of provinces that needed attention.

Mr R Henderson mentioned the Northern Cape. The Minister had visited the area but there had not been any interaction with the Committee.

Ms L Moss suggested attention be given to farm and vulnerable workers’ in the rural areas of the Western Cape.

Mr Anthony said the Northern Cape was one of the cross-boundary areas requiring attention. The Chairperson agreed that such areas had been neglected, and that they should pay attention to all northern areas.

The meeting was adjourned.