Labour minister won't quit

1.3% increase in a year sees other parties' MPs cite 'lack of accountability'.

- Nicholas Zaal

Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth has told parliament she will not resign over the rising number of unemployed graduates.

Meth said she and her department were "doing all we can", working with the private sector and other departments to combat the crisis.

This comes as the unemployment rate of university graduates rose from 9.7% in the second quarter of 2024 to 9.8% in the third quarter.

This is an increase from 8.5% in the third quarter of 2023 - equating to a 1.3% increase in a year.

In the National Assembly on Wednesday, Alan Beesley of ActionSA asked the minister if there were specific plans to address this "escalating crisis".

Beesley also asked if the lack of opportunities has led to the emigration of skilled graduates and what interventions are proposed.

In response, Meth said the unemployment challenge was not an issue for any single department.