StatsSA recently released results of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the first quarter of 2019. Even though a decrease in unemployment rate of 0,2 of a percentage point was reported for the first quarter in the North West Province , the year on year official unemployment rate increased by 0,9 of a percentage point in the Province.

According to startsSA, compared to the same period last year, the expanded unemployment rate increased by 1,3 percentage points in Q1: 2019. All provinces recorded an increase in the expanded unemployment rate except for Gauteng where it remained unchanged. The largest increase was recorded in Limpopo (up by 5,5 percentage points), followed by North West and Eastern Cape (up by 2,6 percentage points and 2,3 percentage points, respectively).

Zwelinzima Vavi, SAFTU General Secretary, says that these statistics should not come as a surprise. “The trends have long been established, and these trends are continuing unabated. The rich are getting richer, and the poor is getting poorer!” Vavi said. COSATU, on the other hand, expressed that latest unemployment figures should serve as wakeup call.

COSATU’s National spokesperson, Sizwe Pamla, says, “South Africa needs an economic development model that will dismantle the current colonial and apartheid economic and social policy paradigm that is unsustainable. We need an economic trajectory that will ensure that there is a proper redistribution of income and that more people are allowed to participate in the economy.”

-The VIP Team

-StatsSA

-COSATU

-SAFTU