Question NW524 to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
19 March 2021 - NW524
Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
(1) Whether any staff member in his department (a) performed work outside normal working hours in addition to the responsibilities related to his or her work in the past five financial years and (b) has been performing such work during the period 1 April 2014 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if not, in each case, how is it determined whether such work is being performed or not; if so, in each case, (i) what number of staff members and (ii) in what job and/or work categories are the specified staff members employed; (2) whether approval for such work was obtained in each case; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what is the policy of his department in this regard, (b) by whom are such applications considered and approved, (c) what number of contraventions of this policy were brought to the attention of the National Treasury in the past five financial years and (d) what steps have been taken against the transgressors? [NW580E]
Reply:
1. (a) I have been advised that departmental records reflect that there were no employees of the then Department of Trade and Industry who performed work outside normal working hours, in addition to the responsibilities, related to their work in the past five (5) financial years.
(b) (i) In 2017, the dti had two (2) applications declined by the Head of Department as conflict of interest was determined.
In 2021 one (1) application was declined by the HoD as conflict of interest was determined.
(ii) The above applicants are employed in the Industrial Financing Branch.
2. No approval was granted for the applicants as conflict of interest was identified.
(a) According to Public Service Regulations, 2016; Regulation 24 states that “An application by an employee to perform remunerative work outside his or her department shall be in accordance with the process determined by the Minister and in the form issued by the Minister”. No employee at the dti/c is allowed to perform other remunerative work without approval.
(b) The HoD of the dtic is responsible for approving other remunerative work applications as delegated by the EA.
(c) There were no contraventions as all applications were declined by the HoD.
(d) N/A
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