/ 16 November 2006

Dept of Labour hires gurus to fix audit queries

A project team has been set up to rectify the recent audit qualifications the Department of Labour has received from the auditor general, the department said on Thursday.

Department of Labour director general Vanguard Mkosana said the project team will help to manage the department’s assets and report on issues timeously.

He said under-expenditure, payroll-certificate reports not forwarded and poor debt management were some of the issues highlighted, which put the department in a bad light.

”The Department of Labour received negative media coverage on performance management with allegations of bonuses paid to people without signing performance agreements.

”This proved to be misinformation and has been corrected,” Mkosana said.

The department, the Compensation Fund and the National Skills Fund received a qualified report, while the Sheltered Employment Factories got a disclaimer, which is the worst finding the auditor general can make.

Mkosana also announced new skills training projects, part of the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative South Africa.

One such project will be launched in Dutywa, in the rural Eastern Cape, on December 2 by Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana. R100-million will be allocated for skills training in each of the nine provinces. — Sapa