Question NW1363 to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology

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09 July 2020 - NW1363

Profile picture: Graham, Ms SJ

Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology

With reference to the Services Sector Education and Training Authority Services (SETA) Programme on Plumbing and Bricklaying running in Aberdeen that undertook to pay a stipend of R2,500 per month until September 2019 and thereafter R3,500 per month, what action can be taken against the service provider who has failed to meet the services SETA payment obligations for the months of July 2019 to December 2019 and from March 2020 onwards and for underpaying in January 2020 and February 2020 to one specific learner (name and details furnished) who despite numerous attempts at resolution, continues not to perform in this regard?

Reply:

The explanation received from the Services SETA is that the payment of stipends is based on attendance registers submitted by the training provider and/or host employer.  Accordingly, Mr Lizo April was paid as follows:

Period: July 2019 – December 2019

The learner was paid a stipend for each month, except for the months of September 2019 and November 2019 where attendance could not be confirmed by way of the attendance register.

Period: January 2020 and February 2020 

The Services SETA sent a communique to all stakeholders in December 2019 directing them to ensure that learners should only return to classes on 1 February 2020 and that no stipends would be paid for the month of January 2020, as learners were not expected to attend classes or workplaces in January 2020. It should be noted that learners were paid their full stipends in December 2019 although classes ended by or before 15 December 2019.   

The Services SETA did not receive the learner’s attendance register for the month of February 2020 from the host employer/training provider.

Period: March 2020 onwards

Attendance registers for the month of March 2020 was used as a basis to pay learners during the period of the lockdown.

The Services SETA did not receive the learner’s attendance register for the month of March 2020 from the host employer/training provider.

Action taken against a provider who fails to meet the payment obligations

In instances where a training provider repeatedly fails to meet the obligations as provided for in the service level agreement between the parties, the SETA investigates the non-compliance and where necessary institutes a legal process through either litigation or termination of the agreement in part or in full. The course of action is determined by the nature of the obligation breach.

Stipend amount of R2 500

The Services SETA pays an amount of R2 500 as a stipend to learners undertaking an apprenticeship. Any additional amount paid to the learner would have been from the training provider or host employer.

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