/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Ms Lumka Yengeni, on Labour has voiced satisfaction with how the public hearings on Unemployment Insurance Amendment Bill happened this week.

Ms Yengeni said of particular interest to the Committee was the input received from the stakeholders. “The step taken by the department to amend this piece of legislation is indeed correct and will do wonders in assisting our people impacted by unemployment. The Committee wishes to reassure all the participants that their views will reflect in the final product of the Bill,” she said.

“The public hearing is reaffirmation of correctness of Parliament’s approach to involve ordinary people in the legislation formulation process. It is very good for people to say what kind of legislation they want,” she said.

The public hearings on the Bill on Wednesday were attended by labour representatives, academics, employers’ association, and the general public, among others. Most of the representatives welcomed the amendments, and voiced desirability of the Bill as a matter of urgency.

Ms Yengeni said the next step would be for the Committee to sit down and discuss the input from submissions. “This law would at least cushion our people during economic downturn period. Hence all political parties are unanimous regarding its speedy finalisation,” she said.

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of The Chairperson, Ms Lumka Yengeni