Government urged to change unemployment approach
A
social justice NPO says employment figures will remain stagnant until
government takes a different approach
Free SA's Reuben Coetzer says these figures are alarming, adding that young people are suffering the most.
He says it's concerning that millions of South Africans remain excluded from the economy.
"31.9% in the fourth quarter was greatly celebrated by the government of national unity.
“To see that has been, again, risen to 32.9%, which really shows that the policies that the government of national unity has been pursuing have not really aided in addressing the unemployment crisis that we have in our country."
Coetzer has given suggestions on how government can curb joblessness.
"We should really chart a different course to not just create jobs, but to expand the economic growth,” he said.
“If we want to see different results in terms of the unemployment numbers, we must pursue different policy for moving policy uncertainty and regulatory rate tape reforming labour laws to incentivize hiring to support the enterprise, combating corruption and political interference and empowering young people with industry aligned, skills of entrepreneurship support.”
READ: South Africa’s unemployment rate hits 32.9%
Meanwhile, trade union federation COSATU says the stats call for a major
expansion of public employment programmes.
The federation’s Matthew Parks says we also need to have a thorough view of the
skills that we're providing for at our schools.
"At the vet colleges, universities, are they really linked to the skills
that employees need in the private sector?
“When you have such high levels of unemployment, people are willing to
sacrifice the labour rights out of desperation.
“Employees know they can exploit people's vulnerability."
Find us on social media
Follow the ECR Newswatch WhatsApp channel here
