EFF statement on the 2023 2nd Quarterly Labour Force Survey published by Statistics South Africa
15 August 2023
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) notes, with continued concern, the results of the 2023 2nd Quarter Labour Force Survey published by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) today.
The report highlights the very little progress in the extreme nature of unemployment rates in the country, with the official unemployment rate declining by a mere 0.3 percentage points, shifting from 32.9% in QI 2023 to 32.6% in 02 2023. Meanwhile, the expanded unemployment rate decreased by the same margin, reaching 42.1 % in Q2 2023 compared to Q1 2023.
Youth unemployment statistics continue to be a distressing factor, to the point of it being criminal, under the ANC government. Youth aged 15-24 recorded the highest unemployment rate at 60,7% while the 25-24 year old age group registered at 39,8%.
Even more troubling are the number of youth, between 15 and 24 years old, who are not employed, and not in any form of education or training (NEET). Out of 10,2 million young people in quarter 2, almost 3,5 million were not in employed nor were they enrolled in a school or education program.
While this is a decrease of about 1,5% from the same time last year, it still remains that more than four out of every ten young people are exposed to a dangerous form of discouragement that should not exist amongst people so young.
Additionally, the labour force participation rate for women remains much lower than men at 54.3%, while it is 64.9% for men, resulting in a 10.6 percentage point gap. Over the past decade, the female labour force participation rate has only risen by a meagre 4%, climbing from 50.3% in 02 in 2013 to 54.3% in 02 in 2023.
This deplorable scenario highlights the persistent systemic and structural economic obstacles that impede the economic engagement of women. Furthermore, when women secure employment, they often find themselves in low-paying positions characterised by precarious conditions, which is unsurprising in a country that is generally cruel and violent to women on all levels.
Similarly, for the past ten years, unemployment rates for the black population in general have remained the highest across other racial demographics at 36,8%, higher than the national average. This underscores the ANC government's ongoing inability to invigorate the economy and create employment prospects.
This year, the EFF orchestrated a resounding National Shutdown march, confronting the pressing issue of unemployment headlong and without reservation. The ANC government has demonstrated utter disregard, and continued nepotism despite our continued calls for nationalisation of mines and the expropriation of land without compensation.
Additionally, amid the impending elections, Panyaza Lusufi's response to unemployment took the shape of mockery and suppression. In an attempt to rival our 10th-anniversary rally, he hastily organised a disgraceful "Nasi iSpani" campaign that lacked proper structure, and made minimal efforts to genuinely connect individuals with tangible job opportunities As the EFF, we remain committed to economic freedom in our lifetime. The stagnation of job growth in South Africa demands an uncompromising confrontation in the upcoming elections.
It is time to vote in a government that recognises the genuine needs of the African person and their right to work for a living, the right to the dignity of an honest day's work, and the equal right to the resources that exist in our country.
Issued by Sinawo Thambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 15 August 2023
