ANC statement on the Second Quarter Employment Numbers released by StatSA
24 August 2022
The African National Congress is encouraged by the results of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the second quarter of 2022 released by Statistics South Africa showing that unemployment has fallen from 34,5% to 33,9 %. The results show that between the first quarter of 2022 and the second quarter of 2022, 648 000 jobs were added into the economy.
Whilst noting that this rate of unemployment is still unacceptably high, it is evident that tangible progress is being made. The notable progress is on youth unemployment. Although both unemployment and employment increased among the youth, there was a net decrease in youth unemployment rate by 1,3 percentage points in the second quarter. However, youth unemployment remains a big concern.
We will ensure that the ANC-led administration sustains this progress across all sectors of our economy.
As outlined in our policy document on Economic Transformation and the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, we will continue to mobilise society around an infrastructure-led recovery with new investments in energy; water and sanitation; roads and bridges; human settlements, health and education; digital infrastructure and public transport. To achieve significant job creation multipliers, the emphasis will be on localisation, including maximising the use of South African materials and construction companies as well as labour-intensive methods.
The ANC led administration will continue to promote investment in key productive sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, mining and tourism and other services. Decisive progress has been made in telecommunications reform, including expediting digital migration and spectrum allocation aimed at increasing broadband connectivity and reducing data costs for households and firms especially for small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs).
The growth and job creation potential of energy-related investments, including green industries are in the process of being fully harnessed including through local production linked to the country's energy investment programme, as required in the Integrated Resource Plan.
We remain resolute on our view that the creation of decent work remains the most powerful way to address the problem of income inequality and poverty. Most importantly, the capacity of the economy to create employment faster than the growth rate of the labour force depends on the economic growth rate, the efficiency of the labour market, and institutional factors which impinge on the growth rate of the labour force. Working with the SETAs, industry and TVET colleges, there is a need to upscale the production of artisans with the required skills to drive the delivery and maintenance of infrastructure.
We remain committed to the intensification of the efforts to drive economic recovery that is inclusive. The ANC will continue to seek wide support and achieve a coordinated effort for its economic programme and interventions — including from business, govemment, labour and community structures.
Issued by Pule Mabe , National Spokesperson, 24 August 2022
