Archive for June 2015

Recent violent attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa that left seven people dead have been blamed in part on high unemployment. This issue of @Liberty suggests remedies for the latter problem. In particular, it proposes a new set of ideas and policies to restore balance to the country’s industrial relations system and liberalise its labour market. These ideas are put forward not simply because high unemployment may be a contributing factor in public violence, but because our high unemployment levels are both morally unacceptable and a waste of human and economic potential.

Agri SA het gister van ‘n gespreksgeleentheid met die sekretaris-generaal van die ANC, mnr Gwede Mantashe, gebruik gemaak om weereens sy kommer oor onwerkbare grondhervormingvoorstelle van die regering toe te lig en te versoek dat die staat eerder vrywillige skemas moet ondersteun wat teen ‘n veel laer koste goeie resultate kan oplewer.

In a properly functioning democracy, the Labour Minister is charged with concerns of employees in their broadest sense – mostly to exploring and promote ways to boost employment and create wealth. Not South Africa. Here the incumbent, who hails from organised labour, solidly supports the monopolistic philosophy upon which trade unionism is founded: Protection and support of those inside the union at the cost of job seekers who are locked out the system. And we wonder why South Africa’s legislation is the most labour-friendly on earth? Or why unemployment remains stubbornly above 25%? – Alec Hogg

South Africa’s Hospitality Sector minimum wage has been adjusted upward with effect from 1 July 2015. The change in the minimum wage is in line with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) which empowers Labour Minister, Mildred Oliphant to adjust wages in the sector.