25 January 2006
Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana today (Wednesday) expressed mixed
feelings at the latest employment statistics released yesterday.
According to Statistics SAâs (Stats SA) survey, the countryâs employment
rate remained almost static, rising by only 0,5 percent from 26,2 percent to
26,7 percent between 2004 and 2005.
Minister Mdladlana said the trend was a cause for great concern but added
that the fact 658 000 jobs were created last year alone was encouraging.
This, he said, showed that since its launch, the governmentâs Expanded
Public Works Programme was continuing its valuable contribution in the fight
against joblessness, and that the development was a clear indication that the
drive by government and its partners in the labour market to halve unemployment
by 2014 was well within target.
Not to be forgotten was the fact that the growth and development summit
goals of job creation were also slowly beginning to bear fruit, the Minister
said.
Enquiries:
Mokgadi Pela
Cell: 082 808 2168
Issued by: Department of Labour
25 January 2006
