Latest news with #Meth
The Star
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
ActionSA writes to President Ramaphosa demanding dismissal of employment minister
ActionSA has written to President Ramaphosa, requesting that he dismiss the Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, for her clear failure to arrest the deepening unemployment crisis that continues to erode hope, dignity and opportunity for millions of South Africans. The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), Q1:2025, paints a dire picture: The official unemployment rate rose to 32.9%, up from 31.9% the previous quarter. A staggering 8.2 million South Africans are now unemployed, with an additional 3.5 million discouraged work-seekers. 291 000 jobs were lost in the first quarter alone – the first such Q1 contraction since 2021. This equates to more than 24,000 jobs lost each week, and almost 5 000 each workday. The proportion of young South Africans aged 15–34 who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET) rose to 45.1% in Q1:2025 — a devastating indicator that nearly half of our youth have been left without opportunity, support or a path to a better future. There is a glaring absence of any meaningful strategy, either in planning or implementation and despite full awareness of South Africa's worsening unemployment crisis, Minister Meth has failed to present a coherent plan to stem job losses, support the informal economy or tackle the systemic barriers that keep young people out of the workforce. In November 2024, ActionSA asked Minister Meth whether she would resign should the country's distressing unemployment figures continue to rise. Her response was blunt and unapologetic: 'Unfortunately, I won't resign.' This laid bare a disturbing indifference to the suffering of millions of South Africans. It is an attitude that reflects the posture of an uncaring government that has grown comfortable with failure while ordinary citizens pay the price. Nearly a year into her tenure, Minister Meth has not demonstrated the urgency, capacity or leadership required to respond to this economic and social emergency. South Africa's working-age population cannot afford further stagnation under ineffective stewardship. The absence of meaningful performance management for GNU Ministers has created a culture where failure carries zero consequence. In any functional democracy, such dismal figures amid worsening socio-economic conditions would compel a Minister to take responsibility and step down. Sadly, this standard of accountability is sorely lacking in South Africa and glaringly absent in the Ramaphosa-led administrations. ActionSA believes that something has to give. Sitting on our hands while millions suffer is simply not an option. We are committed to using every available lever to ensure that South Africa's unemployment crisis is addressed with the urgency it demands. Alan Beesley MP, ActionSA Member of Parliament
Eyewitness News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
ActionSA calls on Ramaphosa to fire Labour Minister Meth over worsening unemployment rate
CAPE TOWN - ActionSA has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to fire Labour and Employment Minister Makhosazana Meth for the worsening unemployment rate. The party's Alan Beesley said that the party had written to Ramaphosa asking him to take action against Meth, saying that the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey painted a dire picture. The latest numbers show how official unemployment has increased from 31.9% in the previous quarter to 32.9%, with 8.2 million South Africans unemployed. "Nearly one in every second youth is unemployed. Based on the latest quarterly numbers, 24,000 jobs are being lost a week, nearly 5,000 a day. There's clearly no strategy or accountability to turn around this unemployment crisis. The start of accountability is to remove Minister Meth."
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
ActionSA writes to President Ramaphosa demanding dismissal of employment minister
There is a glaring absence of any meaningful strategy, either in planning or implementation and despite full awareness of South Africa's worsening unemployment crisis, Minister Meth has failed to present a coherent plan to stem job losses, support the informal economy or tackle the systemic barriers that keep young people out of the workforce. ActionSA has written to President Ramaphosa, requesting that he dismiss the Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, for her clear failure to arrest the deepening unemployment crisis that continues to erode hope, dignity and opportunity for millions of South Africans. In November 2024, ActionSA asked Minister Meth whether she would resign should the country's distressing unemployment figures continue to rise. Her response was blunt and unapologetic: 'Unfortunately, I won't resign.' This laid bare a disturbing indifference to the suffering of millions of South Africans. It is an attitude that reflects the posture of an uncaring government that has grown comfortable with failure while ordinary citizens pay the price. Nearly a year into her tenure, Minister Meth has not demonstrated the urgency, capacity or leadership required to respond to this economic and social emergency. South Africa's working-age population cannot afford further stagnation under ineffective stewardship. The absence of meaningful performance management for GNU Ministers has created a culture where failure carries zero consequence. In any functional democracy, such dismal figures amid worsening socio-economic conditions would compel a Minister to take responsibility and step down. Sadly, this standard of accountability is sorely lacking in South Africa and glaringly absent in the Ramaphosa-led administrations. ActionSA believes that something has to give. Sitting on our hands while millions suffer is simply not an option. We are committed to using every available lever to ensure that South Africa's unemployment crisis is addressed with the urgency it demands. Alan Beesley MP, ActionSA Member of Parliament
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Labour minister pledges crackdown on labour law violations
Meth said that she had submitted the national labour migration policy and an amendment Bill to the Cabinet earlier this week. Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth Picture: Department of Employment and Labour The government has pledged stronger enforcement of labour laws and greater protection of South African workers. Speaking on Friday to a packed gathering of workers, employers and government stakeholders, Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth declared her unwavering support for workers, vowing to take action against employers who flout labour regulations. 'There are jobs in South Africa, yes. But we become enemies when workers are exploited and when the labour laws of this country are not respected,' she said. Inspectors to be reinforced Acknowledging the department's limited capacity, Meth revealed plans to strengthen the labour inspectorate. 'We only have about 2 000 inspectors responsible for more than 10 million businesses,' she said. 'We are working like headless chickens.' She announced that the first 10 000 new inspector posts are being shortlisted to enhance the department's ability to monitor compliance. 'We must go to each and every employer who does not comply,' she said, adding that enforcement was long overdue. ALSO READ: The dark picture of youth unemployment in South Africa Labour migration policy under review Meth confirmed that she had submitted the national labour migration policy and an amendment Bill to the Cabinet earlier this week. 'It is a policy paper that will set aside certain categories of jobs for South Africans. We cannot allow a situation where our people are labelled as lazy while undocumented workers are employed under illegal conditions' Meth said. She stressed that the government is not xenophobic, but insisted that employment opportunities must prioritise locals. ALSO READ: DA slams Lesufi's 'failed' economic strategies as Gauteng reports job losses Petitions spark ministerial visit Meth's visit followed several petitions from local workers which highlighted long-standing grievances including poor working conditions, exploitation of foreign labour and inadequate enforcement. 'Even though I heard that there are petitions still on their way, I came to listen first-hand. Some issues go beyond our department and will be taken up with other departments,' she said. Issues raised include the implications of the national minimum wage on housing subsidies and workplace discrimination against those earning above the threshold. Farm workers in focus Meth acknowledged that farm workers in the region remain among the most vulnerable, often working in degrading conditions. 'We are dispatching a reinforcement team to conduct inspections. I'm not going to say where – but they are happening,' she said. Meth urged collaboration across government, employers, unions and communities to tackle the country's unemployment crisis, which currently stands at 32.9%. 'We are not here to respond to petitions only. We are here to act. Your voice is heard and not just heard, we will act on it,' she said. The department will continue to host outreach programmes and on-site services to ensure workers' grievances are addressed directly. NOW READ: Increased unemployment rate red flag for weak economic growth
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
R382 million UIF lifeline confirmed by Labour Minister for SAPO employees
Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth says nearly 6,000 SAPO workers will receive relief through a R382 million TERS intervention, as government backs a plan to stabilise the troubled state-owned entity. The Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, has confirmed the implementation of a new agreement between the South African Post Office (SAPO) and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), aimed at preserving nearly 6,000 jobs and supporting the recovery of one of South Africa's most critical state-owned entities. Through the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS), the UIF will inject over R382 million into SAPO over six months. The funds will provide immediate financial relief to 5,956 employees while enabling SAPO to implement a long-term turnaround strategy. 'This is a bold and necessary step to protect workers and restore confidence in our public institutions,' said Meth. 'The TERS programme is not just a financial mechanism — it is a strategic tool to stabilise employment, support economic recovery and ensure that no worker is left behind.' Funds will be disbursed in monthly tranches through a dedicated TERS bank account. Meth emphasised that this will happen 'with strict governance, auditing and compliance measures in place.'
