Job seekers flock to Dept of Labour indaba
“This is not our last interaction with Eldos”
Responding to a call for all unemployed residents up to age 55 by the Department of Labour to bring their CVs for inclusion on the department database, Eldorado Park residents showed up in their numbers at the Don Mateman Civic Centre on March 4.
A number of stakeholders were on hand to address the throng of job seekers and provide much-needed information regarding processes around employment.
Fundiswa Maneli and Portia Nyawose from the Department of Labour gave more insight into the protocols observed by public employment services and addresses individual concerns from attendees in a Q&A session.
The department’s Inspection and Enforcement Services representative, Jacky Adams engaged all present and advised the gathering about procedures to follow in terms of the Unemployment Insurance Fund as well as compliance with the Labour Relations Act and encouraged residents with questions requiring in-depth investigation to visit the department offices to obtain answers to crucial questions.
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Representatives from the National Youth Development Agency, Social Development, Home Affairs, Harambee, Godisang and Jozi SME Hub explained their roles and functions and allowed residents to take to the stage to add their voices.
In keeping with the theme, the event aimed to provide information as well as familiarising out of work residents with other stakeholders whose mission it is to alleviate the unemployment many are faced with.
Sipho Mthethwa, Deputy Director at the Department of Labour, echoed many residents’ frustrations when he said, “More often than not, it looks like Eldorado Park is being neglected. This is definitely not our last interaction with Eldos.”
This he said in reference to a planned return visit by the department, scheduled for March 22 to 23, with a career exhibition planned at the Don Mateman Civic Centre.
Shenaaz Williams, a resident who attended the event along with community activist Cyril Kuyane, vented their frustration at not having received adequate services and Williams’ impassioned address illustrated just how despairing the situation had become for many Eldorado Park youth and unemployed residents.
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Kuyane called for the removal of labour brokers or agencies as he engaged Harambee Community Liaison Officer Eric Mvula.
Councillor Fazel Jaffer reminded those present that Eldorado Park effectively falls under the Soweto region and thanked all for the robust debate and the information sharing which was what the event aimed to do.
A passionate Shenaaz Williams can be seen in the accompanying video as she vents her frustration at what she termed ‘the compiling of databases which have no tangible results for unemployed residents.’
