UASA Media Release: 30 October2023
Statement by Abigail Moyo, spokesperson of the trade union UASA:
UASA calls on Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana to be practical and solution-savvy when he tables the Medium-Term Budget Speech on Wednesday.
South Africa’s low economic growth, energy surety, growing water challenges, transport and logistics crises, high unemployment and rising inflation need decisive action.
UASA demands future budget allocations that will enable the relevant departments to address the energy crisis threatening businesses, employment, livelihoods and futures. A point in case is the matric exams that kicked off today, again with learners forced to circumnavigate rolling blackouts in one of the most important exams of their lives.
Government departments must be held accountable and justify their current and future budget expenditures according to their work and requirements to tackle service to the people of South Africa. We are tired of the same old fruitless measures, plans, summits and allocation of funds to departments and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) that never positively contribute to economic growth and employment.
Further, we demand funding to address the sky-high unemployment rate. SMME funding to help create jobs springs to mind.
Recently, Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa referred to the expensive social grant system on which over 27 million people – almost half of the population – depend. This shocking number proves that our people desperately need jobs and a well-functioning economy. The burden on less than eight million taxpayers can never be normalised and is ultimately unsustainable.
Government expenditure must be accounted for and appropriately used for creating sustainable decent jobs and eliminate the structural challenges that curb economic growth and creation of jobs.
For further enquiries or to set up a personal interview, contact Abigail Moyo at 065 170 0162.