By Thys Khiba
Pretoria – The Minister of Employment and Labour, Thembelani Waltermade Nxesi has responded to the recently published first Quarterly Labour Force Survey by Stats, by saying that the strength of recovery remains highly on the implementation of the Economic Recovery Plan (ERP).
According to Minister Thulas Nxesi, the ERP calls on all social partners to work together and preserve the country economic development prospects.
This follows the published first Quarterly Labour Force Survey, which indicates that there is an increase in youth unemployment which overshadows gains in some industries. The Stats SA confirmed that there is a large decrease in employment between quarter four of 2020 and quarter one of 2021.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Free State has also indicated that they are concerned about the outcomes for the free State in the recent labour force survey for the first quarter of 2021.
“As we enter the month of June which is meant to be a celebration of our youth, there is very little to inspire confidence for our youth that Free State will provide them with the dignity of having a job. The employment rates have gone in the wrong direction and the Free State is setting all the wrong records and for the wrong reasons,” Free State Democratic Alliance MPL, Dr Roy Jankielsohn.
Nxesi has also responded to the recently published numbers by the Stats SA which shows an increase in youth unemployment by saying that the youth month is inspiring them to put in place extensive plans to help youth out of, what he called ‘quagmire.’
“Through our labour activations program funded by the UIF, we are seeing a lot of young people take up entrepreneurial work and thriving. This is where employment happens and as the department, we are supporting these enterprises,” said Nxesi.
Nxesi has also confirmed that his department will be launching Job Centres which are targeted mostly to the youth in our country. He confirmed that through the Public Employment Services (PES), they have been involved in partnerships with a number of industries whereby they source job opportunities.
“This is already working well in the Cape Winelands District and we have seen off takes in Limpopo and Mpumalanga. We are also encouraged by the interest that more young people are showing in the Employment Services of South Africa,” said Nxesi.
source: free state central news