Pretoria - Government has taken a number of steps to improve economic and employment performance since the job losses and recession created by the global economic crisis of 2008, says President Jacob Zuma.
In a written reply to a parliamentary question on Monday, Zuma said the steps included the development of an economic strategy in the form of the New Growth Path (NGP) in October 2010, which sets a target for job creation by 2020; and the adoption of the National Development Plan (NDP), in 2012, which sets a jobs target to be achieved by 2030.
He said the targets require government to stem the loss of jobs seen in the economy during the recession and then progressively increase annual jobs growth in order to reach the targets.
During the first year after the adoption of the NGP, Cabinet set an annual target of 250 000 new jobs to be created -- according to the President that target was met.
“Since the adoption of the NGP, the economy has created just over one million new jobs.
“Total employment is currently at 14 029 000, which is the highest level it has ever reached, and it is 2 000 more jobs than the previous highest employment number achieved before the global economic crisis,” Zuma said.
President Zuma added that the unemployment rate has come down during the past year by close to a percentage point.
“The measures that government has put in place to achieve its goals include rolling out the infrastructure build programme, sourcing goods from local manufacturers and improving skills levels to support inclusive economic growth.
“It also entails utilising a range of policy instruments such as industrial, competition and trade policies to promote employment creation and improved economic performance as well as improving the levels of industrial funding in the economy,” he said.
Labour unrest in mining sector
With regard to another question relating to reassuring foreign investors, who were a bit concerned about the labour unrest in the mining sector, President Zuma said government has taken the challenges posed by labour unrest in the mining sector seriously.
He said government, under the leadership of the Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, facilitated a peace accord with the relevant parties in the mining sector.
The parties have committed themselves to peace and have signed the Framework Agreement which seeks to restore labour peace in the sector.
In the agreement, the parties committed themselves to the rule of law as well as to work within the framework of the law to deal with labour conflict.
“We were also encouraged by the fact that even those that did not sign the agreement have committed themselves to peace and to operating within the framework of the law,” he said.
Government has announced its plans to convene a labour relations Indaba. The purpose of the Indaba would be to have a candid discussion about the concerns of social partners in respect of labour relations conflict, and identify measures to strengthen labour relations, which would eventually achieve labour market stability and peace.
Masibambisane Rural Development
Regarding Zuma’s position as chairperson of the Masibambisane Rural Development Project, he said there would be no conflict between this and his position as Head of State.
“No, there will be no conflict of interest as the Masibambisane Rural Development Initiative is driven by a partnership between rural communities, government and the private sector to facilitate development in rural areas through various agricultural projects.
“As the Head of State and Government, I have a genuine interest to ensure that our rural communities are supported through the mobilisation of resources from both the private and government sectors.” - SAnews.gov.za
