![Job creation slanted in favour of the skilled](https://cdn.magzter.com/1373618752/1709819912/articles/vj53WdRnr1709893069485/JOB-CREATION-SLANTED-IN-FAVOUR-OF-THE-SKILLED.jpg)
For more than three decades, the South African economy has had very high rates of joblessness. The country’s economy has been unable to create enough jobs for its growing army of workers. This has partly been because of the stagnant economic growth rate of only 1,7% during the 2010s (it was even lower at 0,9% between 2015 and 2019).
Another factor that limited the economy’s capacity to create jobs at a rapid enough pace to absorb new job seekers and previously employed people was the impact of restrictions imposed during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Compared with the global financial crisis of 2008/9, the impact was much greater. Then, about 600 000 jobs were lost in South Africa. During the COVID-19 restrictions there were a staggering 1,5 million job losses.
We examined the labour market during the lockdown period. We compared data from 2020’s first quarter with data from 2022’s second quarter, obtained from the Quarterly Labour Force Survey data released by Statistics South Africa. The survey done for 2020’s first quarter was the last one before the pandemic hit the country. The 2022 second-quarter survey took place just before all the remaining lockdown restrictions were abolished.
To complement the findings of this study, we also analysed the most recently released 2023 third-quarter survey data to find out whether the most vulnerable groups had recovered and whether their labour market outcomes had at least returned to pre-COVID-19 levels.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 15, 2024-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 15, 2024-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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Tasty, nutritious beans come in many forms
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Can privately owned One Loft Races revive pigeon racing in SA?
In this article, part one of a three-part series on pigeon racing, Thomas Smit looks at the sport's decline in South Africa, and whether One Loft Races, with their attractive cash prizes, can revive it.
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Managing macadamia production when margins are low
Macadamia nut farms have been in dire straits over the past two seasons as prices have dropped and input costs have risen. With little relief on the horizon, orchard management needs to be revised to maintain sustainability. Lindi Botha looks at the options available to farmers to reduce their costs.
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Lessons on the importance of general herd management
Louis Steyl, CEO of the Bonsmara Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the true value of effectively managing a Bonsmara herd in order to maximise profit.
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Combating GBV scourge in rural communities
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The role of One Health in sustainable farming and well-being
A movement strengthening relationships between communities and the land and promoting a mutually beneficial relationship between agriculture, health and the environment is emerging in sustainable farming. Ntokozo Zitha, a PhD student in the Economics Analysis Unit at the Agricultural Research Council, writes.
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Sustainable palm oil production in SA
Palm oil has been heavily criticised due to the unsustainable practices used in its cultivation. But this is beginning to change, says Jannie Myburgh, senior manager of trading oils procurement at SD Guthrie International SA. He spoke to Marinda Louw Coetzee.
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Western Cape avocado production on the rise
Avocado production is booming in the Western Cape, and new insights into the industry were shared at a recent grower day
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Top Western Cape young farmer enjoys a challenge
Dean Barnard, a farmer from George in the Western Cape, was recently named the Agri Western Cape Santam Young Farmer of the Year and will go on to represent the province at the Toyota SA/Agri SA Young Farmer of the Year competition later this year.
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Guava association expects smaller 2024 harvest
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