Figures released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) show that “expanded unemployment” stood at 8,1-million people in South Africa by March this year — compared to 6,4-million in September 2000.
Official unemployment, however, was at 4,3-million by March this year, down from 5,1-million in March 2003 but up from 4,2-million in September 2000.
Official opposition Democratic Alliance labour spokesperson Mark Lowe said in a statement on Monday — after the revised estimates were released by Stats SA earlier — that when using the expanded definition of unemployment, which includes “discouraged work seekers”, things have become much worse on the unemployment front.
“In September 2000, there were about 6,4-million unemployed in South Africa; in March 2005, this figure increased to 8,1-million. The vast majority of this increase is accounted for by an increase in the number of discouraged work seekers — in total, 1,6-million people,” he said.
“That means 1,6-million people, with no jobs, are not being spoken about when government spin doctors tell the public that unemployment is not much worse today than it was in 2000. It means 1,6-million people are not included in the government-approved unemployment figure of 26,5%. These people deserve to be on the public agenda.”
Lowe said: “If today’s jobless and destitute are ever going to enjoy a reasonable standard of living, then government must deliver on its promise of 6% growth — not occasionally, but consistently over the next 10 years. This target can be met.
“But it is also essential that the labour market is liberalised so that those who have few skills and no capital can enjoy the fruits of a sustained higher growth trajectory.
“The staggeringly high rate of unemployment should convince the African National Congress government that job creation should be its number-one priority; far more important than managing perceptions about the problem or placating alliance partners whose primary motivation is looking after the interests of those who already have jobs.” — I-Net Bridge