Union launches skills register
Nov 26 2007 12:19 PM

Cape Town - Trade union Solidarity on Monday launched its own skills register, aimed at compiling a single database of as many South African workers as possible, particularly those with scarce skills.

Solidarity deputy general secretary Dirk Hermann said in a statement the register would enable the trade union to compile statistics that are more reliable and assist in determining training needs in the South African labour market.

"Instead of compelling companies to register vacancies, as suggested recently by Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana, Solidarity will create a list of skilled individuals available in the labour market," he said.

He said the union has misgivings about the real reason behind Mdladlana's recent proposal for a large-scale services database for South African employers.

The labour minister recently announced that his department was drafting regulations that would compel employers to register all vacancies and appointments on the department's services database in future.

Hermann said this approach poses a threat to the South African labour market. "Anything that hampers the free appointment of staff is risky. Companies will simply make fewer appointments.

"If, however, the process of appointing staff can be accelerated, more people will be employed - with a positive outcome for the entire job creation endeavour. It is for this reason that Solidarity has introduced its own skills register."

Employees can register on Solidarity's skills register by sending an SMS - GET MY SOLIDARITY - to 33003. Three questions will then be sent to the individual's cellphone and these three questions must be fully answered before he or she can be registered.

SMSs are charged at R1.50 each. Persons can also log on to www.solidarity.co.za to register.

Information supplied by www.fin24.co.za