Cape Town - Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has opened the door to several DA policies in the 2013 Budget, the party said on Wednesday.
“He has opened the door to some DA policies Ä first and foremost the idea that the youth wage subsidy is back. In a watered down form it's about R5 million for that youth wage subsidy,” Democratic Alliance shadow minister of finance Tim Harris said.
“The previous incarnation was R1.6 billion, nevertheless it is there and I hope he has the political capital to implement it.”
Harris was speaking after Gordhan tabled the 2013 Budget in the National Assembly.
He said Gordhan had to see through the idea of the subsidy.
“If he actually does what he said today... it will make a big impact on creating jobs for young people. However, three years ago he announced the same thing and Cosatu's 1/8Congress of SA Trade Unions 3/8 opposition prevented it from being implemented.”
He also welcomed the idea that special economic zones (SEZ) would receive “boosted” tax incentives.
“These are ideas that the DA has been talking about for years and we are very pleased to see strong incentives like this in the budget.”
Gordhan said while tabling the budget that tax incentives to employ young people, and for people employed in the SEZs, were on the cards.
He said a revised youth employment incentive would be tabled in the National Assembly, together with a proposed employment incentive for SEZs. - Sapa