A half of metro adults feel that labour brokers should be banned: But 55% feel our labour laws are stifling job growth

Johannesburg, 22 May 2012:  Fifty-two percent of metro adults agree that labour brokers should be banned - but 25% disagree and 23% gave a "don't know" response.  These figures were released today by TNS South Africa, South Africa's leading marketing and social insights company.  They arise from a study undertaken amongst 2 000 adults in South Africa's seven major metropolitan areas between 13 and 24 April 2012.  The study has a margin of error of less than 2½% for the overall result.

However, 55% feel that South Africa's labour laws are slowing job growth (21% disagree and 24% say "don't know").  Only a third of people feel that South Africa's labour laws are amongst the best in the world (39% disagree and 27% say "don't know").

Not surprisingly, there are large differences between the different race groups:

Blacks are the most likely to want to ban labour brokers - but they are also the most likely to agree that South Africa's current labour laws are slowing job growth.  Across all race groups, a minority feel that South Africa has amongst the best labour laws in the world - 34% of blacks, 53% of whites, 42% of coloureds and 55% on Indians/Asians disagree, with between 25% and 32% giving a "don't know" response.

Whilst, generally, gender and age difference are small, younger people are less likely to feel that South Africa's labour laws are the best (35% of those aged under 24 years compared with 46% of those aged 50 years and over).  This may reflect some frustration on the part of youth in terms of their job prospects.

Geographically, there are also notable differences, driven largely by the differing racial profiles of the different areas.

People in Soweto and East London evince the most concern about labour laws slowing job growth.  People in Cape Town and East London are the least likely to feel that South Africa's labour laws are amongst the best in the world.  Sowetans are also the most positive about the laws in general.  Unemployed people are surprisingly positive about South Africa's labour laws - 40% feel they are amongst the best in the world.  However, 59% do also feel they are slowing job growth.

The same study also revealed that 89% of people feel that jobs are difficult to find these days with 59% feeling that the situation will be worse in six months' time.

Our take out

Whilst labour brokers are not particularly popular, for many people, the issue is not clear-cut with many people not expressing a view either way - clearly their role is not well-understood by many people.  However, there is some agreement that South Africa's labour laws are somewhat flawed and that they are slowing job growth.

Technical note:

The study was conducted amongst 2 000 adults (1292 blacks, 3502whites, 245 coloureds and 111 Indians/Asians) in the seven major metropolitan areas: it has a margin of error of under 2.5% for the results found for the total sample.  The study uses probability sampling techniques and is fully representative of the major metropolitan areas.  The study was conducted by TNS South Africa as part of their ongoing research into current social and political issues and was funded by TNS.

Statement issued by Neil Higgs, TNS South Africa, May 28 2012

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter