
UASA Media Release: 14 May 2024
Statement by Abigail Moyo, spokesperson of the trade union UASA:
The official unemployment rate was 32,9% in the first quarter of 2024 up from 32,1% in the fourth quarter of 2023. This is a worrying second consecutive recorded increase in the number of citizens without jobs.
Today’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) results indicate that the number of employed persons increased by 22,000 to 16,7 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. However, the number of unemployed persons increased by 330,000 to 8,2 million.
Ahead of the general elections on 29 May 2024, UASA is deeply concerned about the current status quo, where unemployment has become a reality for millions of young South Africans. When the unemployed head to the polls, what hope will they find on the ballot when unemployment has drastically shot upward over the years?
Social and economic challenges, including slow economic growth, high crime rates and inequality, remain at the forefront, adding to the high unemployment rate. What hope is there in a country where a whopping 45.5% of the youth between (15-34) are unemployed? UASA has called on the president’s office several times to do away with the short-term employment plans, which will never solve this national crisis.
Given the challenging economic circumstances, UASA continues to extend its role in addressing economic challenges to tackle employment and labour issues.
On 17 May 2024, in partnership with the Bureau of Market Research (BMR), UASA presents the 2024 UASA South African Employment Report and the 2nd UASA/BMR Employment Index.
The primary aim of the 2024 UASA SAER is to address economic challenges affecting the labour market and identify opportunities to tackle the country’s unemployment crisis and grow employment in the coming years. UASA values the engagement of all relevant parties and workers towards our common goal: To make all role-players an integral part of this journey.
Kindly join us for the UASA SAER and the 2nd UASA/BMR Employment Index.
Zoom registration link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElceqqrz4jGtRKqD7-7f1V7RKhsGazFEXr
For further enquiries or to set up a personal interview, contact Abigail Moyo at 065 170 0162.