OPINION | Growing mass unemployment spells a disaster of deepening poverty

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The national unemployment rate is now at a catastrophic 32,1 percent throwing many workers into destitution.

The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) is alarmed but not all surprised by the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the 4th quarter of 2023 released today.

The results of the QLFS indicate that the number of employed people decreased by 22 000 to 16,7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the third quarter of 2023 while the number of unemployed people increased by 46 000 to 7,9 million.

The national unemployment rate is now at a catastrophic 32,1 percent throwing many workers into destitution. This of course does not count the full picture with 3 million having resigned to the prospects of finding work.

The youth unemployment stands at a staggering 44.3 percent, yet the government claims to be making progress towards creating employment and improving the economy. 

 

These grim statistics are not only pauperising millions of workers and their family but are tearing apart the fabric of society and heaping onto an untenable situation characterized by high levels of crime and deepening poverty, all against the backdrop of the unmitigated rise in the cost of living for the working class and the poor. 

GIWUSA reiterates that the mass unemployment are a gross indictment on the failures of the ANC government. It is direct result of the catastrophic neoliberal policies relentlessly pursued by this government since 1994.

Behind these statistics is the whole system of neoliberal outsourcing, privatisation, deindustrialisation, profit hoarding by the capitalist class, corruption and plunder, and above all a barbaric system which treats workers as mere accessories or tools to profit making while offering nothing but crumbs in return. 

To end mass unemployment, GIWUSA reiterates its demand for the nationalisation of the commanding heights of the economy under the democratic control of the workers.

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To this end, GIWUSA demands the expropriation of the billions of rands of profits hoarded and withheld by capital. These profits must be invested back into the economy through an emergency expansive public works program to build much needed infrastructure and ensure a just transition to renewable energy. 

Only on this basis can mass unemployment be resolved, through the mass employment of millions of people.

In the final analysis, we ask why should millions of people be condemned to unemployment and  poverty in order to satisfy the profit making whims of the capitalist class?  

Written by: Mametlwe Sebei – GIWUSA President