In September 2001 there were 5.3 million workers employed in the formal private sector. In Q2 2010 there were over 7.3 million wokers employed by the formal private sector. (LFS 2001, QLFS 2010 Q2)
An increase of an additional 2million workers in the private sector over a period of 9 years is no mean achievement. However, one would wonder how many additional African, foreign nationals entered our country during that period, and just how many of them became part of the additional 2million employed in the private sector. Also, are the unemployed African foreigners listed amongst those who are counted as unemployed South Africans?
Lastly, – If the strictly imposed identity document and influx-control laws had been maintained, how much better or worse-off would the living standards and lifestyles of our own, local citizens have been if compared with present conditions and their prospects for the future? Comments on these questions would be most welcome!
Terry Roe