/ 6 August 2012

ANC takes a swipe at DA’s economic strategy

Western Cape economic development provincial minister Alan Winde said on Monday the decline in jobs was largely felt in the agricultural sector
Western Cape economic development provincial minister Alan Winde said on Monday the decline in jobs was largely felt in the agricultural sector

"Increasingly, the DA stands like a naked emperor, with its head and hands empty, in front of the people of the Western Cape," he said.

"If the Western Cape is an example of what DA economic policy offers, workers should be very worried."

Ozinsky said the recently released Quarterly Labour Force Survey showed a 1.7% decline in employment in the Western Cape between the first and second quarters of 2012.

The national employment rate recorded a 0.2% increase in the same period, he said.

"This jobless growth which [premier Helen] Zille has brought to Cape Town and the Western Cape, is a key feature internationally of the kind of economic policies favoured by big business and formulated by the DA."

Seasonal nature
Western Cape economic development provincial minister Alan Winde said on Monday the decline in jobs was largely felt in the agricultural sector, which was seasonal.

"A total of 33 000 jobs were added to the Western Cape economy in quarter one and 25 000 lost in quarter two. This happens every year due to the seasonal nature of the agricultural sector."

The province's unemployment rate of 23.2% was still lower than the national average of 24.9%, he said.

"This is not enough, but it shows we are moving in the right direction."

Winde said job creation would improve only when impediments in the labour market were removed.

"Until such time as there is recognition that it is business that creates jobs rather than reliance on the public sector alone to do so, one is unlikely to see the kind of job creation needed to reduce unemployment meaningfully."

Defending stance
This comes in the wake of criticism from the tripartite alliance of the DA's Growth Plan and Jobs Campaign for South Africa.

DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko last week defended the DA's economic plan to the Mail & Guardian.

"There is a lot of potential in the South African economy – fantastic natural resources and a booming tourism industry – and we can start to grow at the same rate as Brazil, Turkey, Mexico and Angola. The 8% economic growth is a bit of a stretch, but it is attainable – it is not a jobless growth. We will create jobs."

The DA also defended its proposal on a youth wage subsidy. "Our proposal is backed by research from the Harvard Group and the treasury, which estimated that more than 400 000 jobs would be created. The government has done these calculations and they are backed up by data and research. Young people will benefit. Cosatu has not produced any research to back its claims. They are just flexing their muscles ahead of the ANC's elective conference," Mazibuko said. – Sapa