Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi has warned service providers linked to the Labour Activation Programme (LAP) that they will not be paid without their performance being checked.
‘The department expects delivery, compliance with contractual obligations, professionalism, quality work, measurable outputs and impactful interventions from you,’ said Nxesi while delivering his keynote address at the Labour Activation Programme launch in Kimberley, Northern Cape, on Friday.
Nxesi said the department has employed systems and processes to monitor the performance of LAP service providers.
This comes after eight LAP service providers accepted and signed a pledge to provide training to 23 070 young people in the Northern Cape.
The training, with a budget of R558 million, will focus on sectors including agriculture, construction, hospitality, security, energy, call centres, and new venture creations.
Nxesi said the department has also been focusing on reconfiguring, along with its entities, to strengthen a
nd improve effectiveness.
‘We are currently implementing the recommendations of an independent review of the Unemployment Insurance Fund and the Compensation Fund, focusing on strengthening service delivery and innovation, and developing effective and efficient business processes and systems.
‘This includes an established project management office to monitor projects, enforce contracts and evaluate outcomes,’ Nxesi said.
After the LAP launch, Nxesi visited a Jobs/Careers Fair — also hosted by the department — at Galeshewe Stadium.
The event was attended by scores of work seekers from nearby communities.
IMAGES | Jobs Fair @Galeshewe Stadium
Jobs/Careers Fair @ Galeshewe Stadium, Northern Cape. Jobs/Careers Fair @ Galeshewe Stadium, Northern Cape. Jobs/Careers Fair @ Galeshewe Stadium, Northern Cape.
Nxesi advised job seekers to use their mobile phones to register on the department’s Employment Services of South Africa database, and to apply for LAP opportunities when they are advertised.
The Ministe
r also advised job seekers to be aware of unscrupulous and bogus employers advertising fake opportunities.
He also urged them to report unscrupulous recruitment agencies, who charge job seekers a fee for employment opportunities, to the department and the South African Police Service.
Source: South African Government News Agency