Concern over SA unemployment rate

A bakkie moves off after loading unemployed builders and painters from a roadside for work in Cape Town. EPA/NIC BOTHMA

A bakkie moves off after loading unemployed builders and painters from a roadside for work in Cape Town. EPA/NIC BOTHMA

Published Jul 29, 2015

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Cape Town - DA finance spokesman David Maynier has called for a parliamentary debate on the stubbornly high rate of unemployment.

“We can not remain silent when 5.2 million people can not find work and live without dignity, independent, a sense of self-worth and freedom in South Africa,” he said in his debut in the finance portfolio, after being moved from defence last month.

The call for a parliamentary debate in the national interest came after Statistics South Africa showed unemployment had increased by 321 000 in the first six months of this year.

“The rate of unemployment is likely to increase given the fact that companies in the mining, metals and construction sector are planning massive job cuts,” he added.

 

[ View the story "Stats SA: Quarterly Labour Force Survey for Second Quarter." on Storify]

 

His comments follow those of ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe who described mining companies’ plans to cut thousands of jobs as “unpatriotic”. Mantashe’s comments came following the ANC lekgotla, which called for caution how mining companies are reacting to challenges, including a disappointingly low economic growth.

“It is concerning that their (mining companies) response has been the cutting of jobs which, instead of resolving the challenges, is deepening the crisis. Those companies that have already announced possible retrenchments are called upon to review their plans and avoid massive job losses as such would lead us further into crisis,” the ANC lekgotla said.

Political Bureau

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