/ 5 August 2003

Govt to track empowerment

Government departments and parastatals will be required to submit a plan and report-back every two years on their progress in implementing black economic empowerment (BEE), according to the latest version of the Broad-Based BEE Bill.

Briefing Parliament’s trade and industry portfolio committee on Tuesday, DTI deputy director-general Lionel October said this would allow the public to monitor the state’s adherence to BEE principles.

”The plans will require organs of state and public entities to articulate their empowerment policies in a public document, and allow for their implementation to be monitored,” he said.

The requirement forms part of a series of amendments made to the bill, which among other things, seeks to establish a BEE Advisory Council.

The bill — intended to usher in the state’s BEE strategy — has been expanded following widespread criticism from business, labour and MPs that the initial draft was too narrow and vague.

However, members of the committee are still not satisfied with aspects of the latest draft, with some voicing concerns over wider implications for economic growth.

The revised draft includes a more comprehensive definition of broad-based BEE and sets out in detail the composition of the proposed BEE Advisory Council.

In terms of the measure, the council will be chaired by the president, who will appoint four Cabinet ministers and, after consultation, between 10 and 15 other members from various constituencies, including labour, business, community-based organisations and academics.

The committee is expected to complete its deliberation on the bill on August 20. – Sapa