1 February 2007
The Department of Labour has launched an investigation into the Sheltered
Employment Factories structure (SEF), with a view to introduce a new framework
under which the factories will be managed.
The SEF structure mainly employs white people with some disabilities; it
emerged as a measure to cater for people who fought in the Second World War.
Director-General Vanguard Mkosana told Parliament's Portfolio Committee on
Labour in Cape Town on Wednesday, 31 January, that the department embarked on
this process to also determine the legal persona and the appropriate structure
of the SEF.
"Some of the issues raised under the SEF by the Auditor-General have been
resolved while others are in the process of being addressed." Dr Mkosana
said.
The Sheltered Employment Factories are urban based. This is a major concern
for the Portfolio Committee on Labour. The Committee said these facilities
should be equally accessible for both the rural and urban communities.
In response to the Auditor-General's findings on the lack of staff with
adequate financial and management accounting at the SEF, Director-General
Mkosana told the Portfolio Committee that a project dedicated to addressing
this issue has been initiated.
"Although a formal skills audit has not yet been conducted, however, job
profiles have been completed for finance staff and training is currently
underway," he said.
The recruitment of the Chief Finance Officer was in progress and the
appointment expected soon. The shake-up of the SEF will also entail recruitment
of staff in accordance with Affirmative Action.
"Where gaps are noted, skilled staff will be appointed in line with the
Employment Equity plan," he said.
On the Auditor-General's recommendations with regards to the Compensation
Fund, Dr Mkosana said, critical management positions have been identified to
strengthen the top structure at the Fund. Thirty-two additional employees have
been appointed to alleviate capacity constraints. A Commissioner, Shadrack
Mkhonto, has also been appointed. Comissioner Mkhonto championed the
turn-around strategy of the once-bankrupt Unemployment Insurance Fund.
The Auditor-General also questioned the policy and framework regarding the
National Skills Fund (NSF). Dr Mkosana told the committee that the Department
has decided to list the NSF as an entity. The process includes, among others,
appropriate legislation and the development of an institutional framework.
"Here we are only focusing on the negative issues that were raised by the
Auditor-General, but there is so much positive to share."
Enquiries:
Zolisa Sigabi
Cell: 082 906 3878
Issued by: Department of Labour
1 February 2007
