Political parties and labour unions have called for increased efforts to tackle joblessness despite there being a slight decrease to South Africa’s 32.9% unemployment rate.
Figures from Statistics SA’s quarterly labour force survey showed that unemployment had decreased by 1% to stand at 32.9% for the third quarter of 2022, while the expanded unemployment rate came in at 43.1%.
According to Stats SA, about 204 000 jobs were created between the second and third quarter with the number of employed people standing at 15.8 million.
The number of unemployed people decreased by 269 000 to 7.7 million.
The statistics also showed that there were now 3.5 million discouraged work seekers, 54 000 fewer than the second quarter.
“The number of people who were not economically active for reasons other than discouragement increased by 264 000 between the two quarters,” read Stats SA’s statement.
Industries that created the most jobs included manufacturing, trade, construction and transport, while sectors that shed jobs were finance, mining, agriculture and private households.
Labour federation Cosatu welcomed the slight reduction in the unemployment rate but called on the government to act swiftly in addressing obstacles to economic growth such as the energy crisis, ailing infrastructure and state-owned enterprises that were not “performing” well.
Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said: “The unemployment (rate) is still unacceptably high even though it’s been stabilised. We still have a crisis of millions of young people that are still unemployed.”
Pamla added that even though some industries demonstrated resilience and managed to create jobs, more opportunities would have been created had the stumbling blocks been resolved.
GOOD Party secretary Brett Herron regarded the “stubbornly” high unemployment rate as a reminder that millions of people would “not be lifted out of poverty” any time soon.
“This means over 11 million people, 7.7 million unemployed and 3.5 million discouraged work seekers, are currently without a job and proper income.
“What is further of concern is that youth aged 15 to 24 years and 25 to 34 years recorded the highest unemployment rates of 59.6% and 40.5% respectively,” said Herron.
The GOOD Party said that South Africa should urgently implement a basic income grant (BIG) to assist the millions of South Africans who lived below the poverty line.
Western Cape MEC for Economic Opportunities Mireille Wenger said about 85 000 jobs were created in the province in the third quarter.
“I welcome the news that the Western Cape’s expanded unemployment rate has decreased by 1.8% points quarter-on-quarter and by 0.8% points year-on-year.
“After a difficult two years for our province and country, this is certainly heart-warming news. A job provides dignity and self-agency, breaking the cycle of poverty. Employment creates opportunity and hope for many families across the province.”
Wenger also reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to work “tirelessly” to remove barriers to economic growth.