Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has identified the ANC-led alliance's implementation of minimum wage laws as a key factor contributing to the country's high unemployment rate.
Mr Steenhuisen led a picket in front of COSATU House in Johannesburg's Braamfontein early this morning, denouncing the ANC government's labor laws that are detrimental to job creation.
He expressed the DA's determination to undo what he called COSATU's decades of failed economic policies and growth stimulation efforts.
Steenhuisen said: “This unholy alliance is talking about the need for a minimum wage to ensure adequate remuneration for skilled workers, as if it were the holy grail to address South Africa's unemployment problem. “We are talking about an inflexible minimum wage that only serves as a solution.” This creates a barrier to hiring companies. ”
“If businesses can't afford to pay the minimum wage, they can't afford to hire staff at all. This means that instead of creating jobs for millions of our citizens, they are taking jobs away. We need a system that protects both workers, and we also understand that we need to reach out to South African job seekers,” Steenhuisen added.
Prosecutors are at COSATU House today, the crime scene of South Africa's unemployment crisis. The nearly 30 years that an unholy alliance between COSATU, the ANC and the SACP ruled South Africa led to record unemployment and misery for millions of people. pic.twitter.com/61nCh627G3
— Congressman John Steenhuisen (@jsteenhuisen) May 2, 2024
To end poverty, we must enable young people to gain work experience and earn wages.
“Introducing the Youth Employment Opportunities Certificate. This certificate will allow young people to opt out of the minimum wage.” – @jsteenhuisen
Full broadcast: https://t.co/RXxEWI4qjk pic.twitter.com/o4FtAn2n4R
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) May 2, 2024
