NEVA MAKGETLA: How the government can help SA adjust to economic change
SA has some measures in place but none is designed to help workers who face a structural downturn
03 February 2020 - 16:02
SA’s employment structure underwent big changes over the past quarter century. Government and community services, retail and transport more or less doubled in size. In manufacturing, food processing and to a lesser extent the chemicals value chain saw steady employment growth from 2008.
But it’s the downsizing that grabs attention. Agriculture lost about half of its jobs from 1990 to 2010. Heavy industry saw a third of its jobs disappear in the 2008-2009 global financial crisis. With plummeting export prices from 2011 to 2015, mining lost a third of its jobs...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.