25 October 2007
While the Department of Labour was facing the huge challenge of its staff
being poached by both public and private sector due to the quality of its
training, this was still not a reason enough for the excessive use of
consultants, Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana said today.
Minister Mdladlana's renewed criticism of his own department for contracting
some of the posts followed his assessment of records on the issues.
According to documentation, the department spent R23 601 014.40 on nine
different contracted experts, including auditors and trainers during the last
financial year, while R7 948 290.00 was used on four separate occasions during
the 2005/6 financial year.
"Although we continue losing highly qualified officials to other sectors
after spending a fortune in empowering them with skills, I still find it
difficult to accept this use of consultants. I strongly feel my officials have
developed a propensity to use contractors. I have said this before, and will
continue raising it until someone convinces me that it is really unavoidable,"
he said.
The Minister said he had always insisted that the hiring of consultants had
to be accompanied by transference of skills and mentoring.
His public criticism of the practice by his own staff has in the past drawn
public reaction, with most commending his openness on the matter.
Enquiries:
Zolisa Sigabi
Cell: 082 906 3878
Issued by: Department of Labour
25 October 2007
Source: Department of Labour (http://www.labour.gov.za)
