President Ramaphosa calls for national action to restore employment in South Africa amid COVID-19 pandemic
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on all South Africans to work together to ensure a rapid rebound in employment, following the release today, Tuesday, 29 September 2020, of the latest employment figures.
Results from Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey demonstrate the severe impact of the global coronavirus pandemic on the South African labour market.
The loss of 2.2 million jobs in the second quarter of 2020, as well as a large decline in labour force participation due to the national lockdown, reinforces the need for additional measures to support livelihoods as part of the economic recovery.
The President said: “Our success in responding to this unprecedented crisis will be measured by the speed of our labour market recovery. In addition to the relief measures we have already implemented, we must ensure that every job lost during the crisis is replaced and that more jobs are created so that we can meaningfully reduce unemployment.”
Following broad agreement among social partners at NEDLAC on the key actions required for economic recovery, Cabinet is in the process of finalising a programme for a return to growth and a rebound in employment.
Structural reforms, investment in infrastructure and other measures to grow the economy will play a crucial role in supporting the recovery of the labour market in the medium term.
While the labour market recovers, however, government will continue to expand its programmes aimed at keeping people in work and sustaining livelihoods.
Implementation of the Presidential Employment Stimulus will soon commence to rapidly scale up public and social employment and support job protection in vulnerable sectors.
Government’s historic economic and social relief package has been vital in shielding companies, workers and households from the worst effects of the pandemic.
The Unemployment Insurance Fund has provided over R43 billion in temporary relief to more than 4 million workers, preventing further job losses and keeping many businesses alive.
Additional social protection has been provided to over 16 million South Africans – more than a quarter of the population – to extend support during the lockdown and alleviate hunger.
Most countries have experienced both a sharp increase in unemployment and an increase in economic inactivity as a result of the measures necessary to contain the pandemic. In South Africa’s case, this decline highlights a decreasing labour force participation rate and adds to an unacceptably high level of unemployment before the pandemic.
The President calls on all South Africans to work towards a strong economic recovery for all. “Now is the time for all South Africans to pull together and grow South Africa,” he said.