The DA in Limpopo is extremely concerned about the continuous job losses in our province.
The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the period January to March 2023 as released by Stats SA today indicates that Limpopo province shed 90 000 jobs.
Quarter-to-quarter losses were experienced in the mining sector (10 000 job losses), the manufacturing sector (1000 job losses) and the utilities sector (4 000 job losses).
Sectors that experienced the highest year-on-year job losses were the agriculture sector (31 000 job losses), the construction sector (20 000 job losses) the utilities sector (5000 job losses) and the manufacturing sector (11 000 job losses).
It is clear that the impact of loadshedding on especially the agricultural sector is evident at all levels of operation, including logistics and cold chain management which requires urgent intervention by government.
The devastating effect of loadshedding on agriculture coupled with systemic failures within the provincial department of agriculture and rural development around the lack of effective animal biosecurity and a porous Foot-and-Mouth disease redline puts more jobs and food security at risk.
The DA appreciates the Herculean effort of Limpopo farmers who remain resolute in creating jobs and putting food on our tables.
Quarter-to-quarter, the official unemployment rate increased from 31.8% to 33.6% and Limpopo’s expanded unemployment rate remains stubbornly high at 48.6%.
Limpopo province now has 1 388 000 employed people in stark contrast to the 3 116 000 unemployed, discouraged work seekers and not economically active individuals.
The DA calls on the Limpopo executive to safeguard our economy through the implementation of policies that can minimise the devastating impact of loadshedding.
