A number of factors have led to the high unemployment rate in South Africa. The government has now proposed how it will tackle this issue, faced by young people and the country at large.
The changes in the labour market have resulted in the official unemployment rate increasing by 0.4%, from 34.9% in the third quarter of 2021 to 35.3% in the fourth quarter of 2021.
According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), this is the highest unemployment rate since the start of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) in 2008.
The QLFS is a household-based sample survey that reveals data on the labour market activities of individuals aged 15 years or older who live in South Africa.
The Department of Employment and Labour has confirmed that it has a number of programmes that are aimed at the unemployed youth.
In a statement, the department revealed:
For the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022, a total of 257 474 work seekers were provided with employment counseling services to cope with unemployment, to find work and self-employment opportunities.
It has been reported that through the Presidential Stimulus Plan, more than 840,000 job opportunities were created.
The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has reached agreements on training initiatives in the fields of fiber optics, food handling, and mixed farming.
It has been reported that the UIF has set aside R551 million for these projects to benefit 70% of its former UIF contributors who lost their jobs and 30% being new labour market entrants.
The Compensation Fund has enrolled 41 people with disabilities in various Vocational Training Institutions through the Vocational Rehabilitation Program.
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