EFF STATEMENT ON THE LAPSING OF CONTRACTS FOR YOUNG GRADUATES
AT LIMPOPO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
Wednesday, 22 March 2023.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Limpopo notes with concern that
more than 800 young graduates will now join the queue for R350 Social Relief
of Distress grant as their three (3) months contracts with the Limpopo
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development comes to an end, by the
end of March 2023.
It is mind-boggling and disappointing that the department sees nothing wrong
with hiring Assistant Extension Officers for only a period of three months, in an
era of crippling youth unemployment. The immediate questions then are, what
skills would government transfer in three months?. How would government
break the vicious circle of youth unemployment with short-term employment?.
So far, the Public Service is bloated with ageing personnel who will soon go on
retirement while young graduates, well versed and energetic are not given an
opportunity to add value and take over. The unemployment rate among young
people with tertiary education remains higher and this is a cause for concern.
The EFF strongly condemns what seems to be a perpetual exploitation and
neglect of young graduates in the agricultural sector. In essence, we call on the
department to permanently absorb these graduates before they end up going
back to the streets despondently and frustrated.
The department’s delay in communicating whether or not, it would extend
their contracts beyond three months is not helping and only causes anxiety for
the above-mentioned graduates.
The EFF reiterates its call for insourcing and permanent employment of
workers across the board, which would increase the chances of job security
and sustainable economic growth.
