Pietermaritzburg - Hundreds of DA supporters marched in central
Pietermaritzburg on Monday to demand the immediate introduction of a
youth wage subsidy.
Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Lindiwe
Mazibuko and provincial leader Sizwe Mchunu led the procession to the
office of premier Zweli Mkhize.
DA members were dressed in blue T-shirts and carried
flags and placards reading: "youth wage subsidy now" and "we demand jobs
today".
The DA said in a statement on Monday it had noted Mkhize's support for a youth wage subsidy.
"We will present him with a formal opportunity to put
politics aside and back the Western Cape's call for provinces with the
political will to roll out the subsidy, to be given a share of
Treasury's budgeted R5bn," said Mazibuko's chief of staff Russel
Brueton.
Last month, the DA marched to Cosatu headquarters in Johannesburg, about job losses and
Cosatu's opposition to the youth wage subsidy.
The march turned violent when it was met by toyi-toying Cosatu members, who allegedly stoned the DA supporters.
Cosatu believes a subsidy suggests that high wages and
restrictive labour laws are behind youth unemployment, when improving
basic education, skills development, the "green economy" and local
procurement will help more.
It believes the subsidy will encourage companies to
hire cheap young labour just for the subsidy, and will retrench older
workers.
President Jacob Zuma announced the R5bn subsidy in parliament in February 2010.
He said in May that the issue was still being discussed
at the National Economic Development and Labour Council, and final
recommendations would be made to cabinet.