Western Cape Has the Lowest Unemployment Rate in the Country

Dear Editor

Stats SA released the Quarterly Labour Force Survey today, and the numbers have confirmed yet again that the Western Cape is the top performing Province. The national unemployment rate has increased from 26.6% in the second quarter, to 27.1% in the third quarter this year resulting in the job crisis going from bad to worse.

The Western Cape has achieved the largest employment gains in the country, with the lowest unemployment rate of 21.7% down from 22.2%. This performance confirms that the Province is far better at creating an environment for jobs than any other Province in South Africa, with an expanded unemployment rate of 24.8%, compared to 36.3% nationally and 32.8% in Gauteng.

The DA-led Western Cape is on the right track to creating opportunities for economic growth and jobs. Project Khulisa is a focused intervention program by the Western Cape to accelerate economic growth in Tourism, Agri-Processing and the Oil and Gas sectors. The Red-Tape Reduction Unit within the Department of Economic Opportunities has achieved a 96.5% success rate to unblock red tape that hampers blockages and small business growth.

The DA will continue to stimulate and create an enabling environment for growth and jobs in the Western Cape.

Regards

Beverley Schäfer MPP