The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has noted a statement issued by the Democratic Alliance's so-called Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry Tim Harris, in which he thanks the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) for "coming in support of the youth wage subsidy". As a matter of fact, the National Union of Mineworkers does not support the Youth Wage subsidy.

In fact, the NUM has been vocal in its opposition of the Youth Wage subsidy and is disappointed that the Democratic Alliance and some elements in the media had miscontrued the NUM General Secretary 's statement when he said "As the NUM, we are worried that youth unemployment is at its peak when there is  a lot of money in the so-called wage subsidy which should be used elsewhere to create jobs". The General Secretary went further to clarify that by giving example of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).

It is therefore a great disappointment that some members of the media decided to distort that for some unknown reasons and that the Democratic Alliance, which is ofcourse highly dependent on the media to pursue its agenda, then jumped the gun to have found support from the NUM.

The National Union of  Mineworkers is interested in unlocking every resource available that would help eliminate youth unemployment and is highly pertubed by the never-ending discussions on the youth wage subsidy at NEDLAC.

The NUM is further pertubed by some media sensationalists that interpreted the NUM statement that "It supports its alliance partners in enforcing discipline amongst their ranks" as reference to Comrade Julius Malema. The NUM has never made mention of the name of Comrade Malema.We have no interest whatsoever in interfering in internal processes of our allies.

Statement issued by Lesiba Seshoka, NUM spokesperson, November 16 2011

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