Latest rise in unemployment statistics ‘a disaster’
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) has labelled the latest unemployment numbers as an “absolute disaster”.
On Tuesday, statistician-general Risenga Maluleke released the quarterly labour force survey, which once again painted a sombre picture for the country’s unemployed.
The unemployment rate stands at a staggering 34.4%, while the expanded unemployment rate stands at a whopping 44.4%.
“It’s a disaster,” says Saftu general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.
“We are absolutely disgusted but at the same time we are afraid because we can see exactly what is awaiting to happen to our country. We saw glimpses of it in July when people looted.
READ: Unemployment rate in SA hits record 13-year high
“We saw the desperation in their eyes and we saw them carrying OMO, loaf of bread and meat. We fear that we are not very far from that moment.”
In July, civil unrest erupted in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal following the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma.
Shops were looted and infrastructure damaged - causing damage totalling billions of rands.
Youth unemployment was soon attributed as one causal factor of the civil unrest.
Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla says the unemployment figures are no longer shocking due to the devastating impact of Covid-19.
“We have noted these record high statistics. There is very little that is shocking anymore because not only is Covid-19 having a devastating impact, but we also have an alarming situation where our National Treasury is indifferent to the failures of their policy choices. We could’ve predicted that this was going to worsen.”
