Share

Gordhan: Youth wage talks urgent

Parliament - Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan on Friday called for urgency in discussions on the youth wage subsidy, saying the problem of creating jobs for young people cannot be indefinitely deferred.

A broad range of measures were needed to make progress in expanding employment and alleviating the special problem of youth unemployment, he told the National Assembly during debate on his budget vote.

These included measures aimed at stronger investment and growth through the infrastructure build programme and economic support package, and addressing skills constraints in the economy through measures to improve access to and the quality of basic, further and higher education.

Tailored employment policies - including the community work programme, environmental sector public work programmes, and the national rural youth service corps - received additional allocations in February's budget and would help boost youth and overall employment in the short term, he said.

There had been a number of concerns raised with the proposed youth employment incentive. Discussions with social partners were aimed at mitigating these concerns.

The rules, design, and monitoring of a youth employment incentive needed to ensure that it did not have negative unintended consequences, including potential displacement of existing jobs.

"We would like to see these issues addressed fully in discussion between social partners at Nedlac (the National Economic Development and Labour Council), but with urgency, as the challenge of creating jobs for young people cannot be indefinitely deferred," Gordhan said.

Data from the Quarterly Labour Force Survey showed overall employment decreased by 75 000 in the first quarter of 2012.

Employment fell across all age groups, with job shedding most severe among those aged 25 to 34 years old (31 000, quarter-to-quarter), 35 to 45 years (22 000 q/q), and 55 to 64 years (21 000 q/q).

Employment for all age groups (except those aged 35 to 44) remained below the pre-crisis level, although young people aged 15 to 24 years continued to be worst affected (360 000 or 20% below 2008 levels), Gordhan said.

 
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.89
+0.3%
Rand - Pound
23.87
+0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.38
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.32
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.2%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders