YCLSA ON THE ONGOING "DECENT JOBS" DEBATE

26 JANUARY 2011

The Young Communist League of South Africa (uFasimba) notes the ongoing debate on Decent jobs versus the provision of any kind of job by government. The fact that the debate has occupied space in the mainstream media, politics and government, asserts that the issue of unemployment is a national phenomenon which has lost its exclusivity to purely government and business. We have seen the shedding of millions of jobs as a result of the recession, leaving, millions of workers despondent in the pits of poverty and debt.

As the YCLSA we have called upon government to ensure the creation of quality permanent jobs which will see millions of South Africans livelihood transform for the better and more importantly allow their maximised participation the mainstream of the economy. The aforementioned fundamental requirements cannot be undermined nor compromised.

Workers in various industries such as the retail sector are subjected to immense exploitation through the usage of labour brokers. Workers' wages are robbed blatantly by paying labour brokers from the wages. This practice hinders with the provision of quality, permanent jobs and deprives workers of their rights to fair arbitration processes in the instance of disputes and organising in companies.

We remain firm on our call for the complete ban of Labour brokers. The matter of decent jobs should not be a subject debated as if it's a new concept. A Decent job is one that provides a decent wage for the worker, benefits, protection of workers rights through legislation and access to credit facilities in financial institutions.

The private sector continues to find innovative ways to deviate from the responsibility of providing these basic needs for workers through labour broking. The government   should not at any stage create further space for the private sector to continue undermining workers rights or providing decent jobs.

Our second annual Jobs for Youth Summit in May will ensure that the issue of decent Jobs is at the top of the agenda for discussions and a platform for all stakeholders-the Private sector, government, political organisations and organised labour come and address the matter together with young people.

Statement issued by Gugu Ndima, YCLSA Head Office, January 26 2011

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