Premier Mtshweni-Tsipane welcomes outcome of quarterly labour force survey

15 November 2023

Mpumalanga Premier, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane welcomes the results of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the third quarter of 2023, as released by Statistics South Africa. Despite the weak economic climate globally and nationally, the results shows that Mpumalanga managed to increase employment by 44 000 people (Quarter to Quarter) whilst the number of the unemployed decreased by 62 000 during the same period.

In welcoming the outcome of the Survey, Premier Mtshweni-Tsipane says the results are an evidence of the government’s efforts to rejuvenate the economy for job opportunities. “COVID-19 left a trail of devastation to the economy across the country, and Mpumalanga was not sparred. These results inspire hope that our efforts to re-ignite our economy in the Province, through the implementation of the Mpumalanga Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (MERRP), is not in vain,” the Premier stated.

Although the agriculture, mining and transport sectors struggled and shed jobs in Quarter 3, however, other sectors have gained. There is a notable increase of more than 11 000 jobs in the manufacturing sector and close to 20 000 each, in finance and community services.

The survey indicates a decline of unemployment rate from 38.4% in Quarter 2 to 35.5% in Quarter 3. Furthermore, it indicates a decline from 49.5% (Quarter 2) to 46.7% (Quarter 3) of the “discouraged work-seekers”, in line with the expanded definition of unemployment.

Premier Mtshweni-Tsipane says while the Provincial Government welcomes the results of the Survey, however, it is acutely concerned about the unemployment rate of the youth and women, which remains high. “We are aware that the challenge of providing decent work for people in Mpumalanga, is an enormous task that must be pursued vigorously. The continued and effective implementation of our job massification programme and the MERRP, shall remain of uppermost importance for this administration,” the Premier emphasised.

ENDS…


Issued by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government

Enquiries:
Provincial Government’s Spokesperson:George Mthethwa
Tel: (013) 766 2242
Mobile: 083 302 2774
E-mail: gpmthethwa@mpg.gov.za

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