December ‘24 Jobs Stats Show These Most Critical Imperatives for SA

Dear Editor

The Quarterly Employment Survey for December 2024, reporting 91 000 fewer people being employed than in the previous year, shows that economic growth and the creation of jobs is now unquestionably the most critical and pressing imperative for our nation.

We are forced to confront a reality where all economic decision-making must result in the growth of our economy, to create more jobs, as the first priority above all others.

It is unacceptable that South Africa’s unemployment rate remains the highest in the world, sitting at nearly 42% when using the expanded definition, and yet we are not seeing the determined and focussed growth and jobs agenda that we need.

Until a real growth and jobs agenda is fully embraced, millions of South Africans remain trapped in poverty with little hope of finding meaningful employment.

South Africans are getting poorer year after year, while past ANC governments refused to implement the critical pro-growth reforms needed to turn the tide.

In the Government of National Unity (GNU), the DA continues to push the ANC and other stakeholders for a growth agenda that creates jobs, fosters prosperity, and safeguards the country’s financial stability.

The DA’s demands remain:

• Breaking Eskom’s monopoly over energy transmission, allowing for competitive energy generation;
• Reducing red tape to support the growth of small businesses and ease the process of starting new enterprises;
  Logistics and trade reforms including concessioning of freight rail and major ports like Cape Town and Richards Bay;
• Reforming collective bargaining agreements that hinder small and medium-sized businesses from hiring more employees;
• Converting the SRD Grant into a Job Seekers Allowance, to facilitate employment-seeking efforts;
• Eliminating unnecessary tariffs on manufactured goods not produced locally, encouraging affordability and growth;
• Re-aligning foreign policy with South Africa’s national interest, free from ideological distractions; and
• Right-sizing the state by cutting wasteful spending and prioritising programmes that stimulate economic growth.

Regards

Michael Bagraim MP
DA Spokesperson on Employment & Labour