Striking a labour balance

AS SOUTH Africa celebrated Workers’ Day on May 1, the nation finds itself at a crossroads — balancing the hard-won rights of workers with the pressing need to invigorate an economy grappling with high unemployment and sluggish growth.

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Recent data from Statistics South Africa indicates a slight improvement: the official unemployment rate declined to 31.9% in the fourth quarter of 2024, down from 32.1% in the previous quarter. Yet, youth unemployment remains alarmingly high at 44.6%, underscoring the challenges young South Africans face in securing employment.

The economy's modest growth — 0.6% in the fourth quarter of 2024 - isa positive sign, driven primarily by gains in agriculture, finance and trade sectors. However, this growth is insufficient to absorb the vast number of job seekers entering the market annually.