Thousands lose jobs in Limpopo
LIMPOPO
The
Democratic Alliance (DA) in the province said it is very concerned about the
massive job losses in Limpopo.
The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the
period April to June 2020 released by Stats SA on Tuesday indicates that
Limpopo province shed
252 000 jobs in that period.
Quarter-to-quarter losses were experienced in
the mining sector (17 000 job losses), the manufacturing sector (31000 job
losses) the transport sector (19 000 job losses), private households (7 000 job
losses) and in the finance sector the province lost 57 000 jobs.
Sectors that experienced the highest job losses
were the construction sector (46 000 job losses), the community and social
services sector (45 000) and trade in the province lost 57 000
jobs.
“It
is clear that most sectors experienced losses, but the trading sector, which
includes many small business owners, was the hardest hit. The year-on-year job
losses for Limpopo’s trade sector was 124 000. Year-on-year, the official
unemployment rate increased from 20.3 percent to 21.9 percent, but more
concerning is the expanded unemployment rate which has
increased by 5.4 percent to 46.5 percent.
This is the second largest increase in the
expanded unemployment nationally, with only the Eastern Cape who experienced a
higher percentage of 6.3% to 52.8 percent,” said DA’s Jacque Smalle
He
said Limpopo province now has 1387 000 employed people in stark contrast to the
2 986 000 unemployed.
“The agricultural sector managed to create 16
000 new job opportunities during the second quarter despite the many challenges
the industry face daily. Our farmers persevere despite droughts, limited
government assistance and farm attacks.”
