unemployment

Minister in the Presidency, Trevor Manuel, has released the final version of the National Development Plan (NDP) in Parliament.

Manual says that the main aim of the plan is to grow the number of employed people from 11 million to 24 million by 2030.

"In the early years, emphasis will be on absorbing the unemployed, especially young people, into economic activity," the plan says.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) says that labour market regulations in South Africa are not to blame for the country’s high unemployment.

ILO Southern Africa director, Vic van Vuuren, identified education challenges, a skills mismatch, an inadequate focus on entrepreneurship and small business, as well as the economic slowdown, as the main contributing factors to unemployment.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) believes South Africa should immediately introduce the youth wage subsidy - in some sectors of the economy - to test if it would yield results.

IOL deputy director for Decent Work Team for Southern and East Africa, Joni Musabayana, points out that, the youth wage subsidy was successful in many countries.

Musabayana says as part of its ‘decent work’ campaign the ILO is working with government to turn job opportunities in the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) into productive jobs.

South Africa has largely failed to provide equal opportunities to all citizens since the advent of democracy in 1994, according to the World Bank.

The bank says although great strides have been made in providing basic education and sanitation, this does not equate to a level playing field for everyone.

Parliament's Portfolio and Select Committee on Women, Children and People with Disabilities will be hosting public hearings from 25-26 on South Africa's compliance with the relevant United Nations Convention.

Chairperson for the Portfolio Committee, Dorothy Ramodibe, says that, "We have invited stakeholders, the NGO's, our invitation is not limited."

The plight of the unemployed will once again come under the spotlight when President Jacob Zuma delivers a keynote address at a national jobs summit, which takes place in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal.

The summit, which is hosted by the Department of Labour, is expected to provide opportunities for work-seekers to meet with prospective employers in the public and private sectors.

According to an editorial on the Business Day website, job seeker’s grant cannot substitute for measures that make it easier for businesses to create jobs, or replace improving skills and education or labour market reforms as policy.

It says it the proposed youth wage subsidy is to be swept aside and replaced with a job seeker’s grant, it will be a tragedy for business, the unemployed and the fiscus.

It further argues that ‘another grant’ will not solve the problem of unemployment, and it will run a real risk of pushing state expenditure up to an unsustainable level.