The Department of Economic Development Environment Conservation and Tourism in the North West Province note and welcomes the slight decrease in the unemployment rate in the country.
According to the Stats SA Quarterly Labor Force Survey (QLFS) Q3 released today 12/11/2024, there was an increase of 294 000 in the number of employed persons and that increased the total number of employed people in the country to 16, 9 million.
Changes in the employment and unemployment rate resulted in the official unemployment rate deceasing by 1, 4% from 33, 5% in the second quarter of 2024 to 32, 1% in the third quarter of 2024.
Stats SA report also indicate the largest increase in employment were observed in Easter Cape (83 000), Western Cape (75 000) North West Province (69 000) and Mpumalanga (49 000). Decreases were only observed in Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu-Natal.
Having studied the Quarterly Labour Force Survey results as they relate to the North West Province,
MEC Bitsa Lenkopane said “As a department that is ceased with the mandate of creating an enabling environment for jobs to be created, we are a bit relieved that the North West Provinces has increased employment. We are equally not going to be complacent because 69 000 job opportunities in a population of close to 4 million people in the province is nothing but a drop in the ocean”
MEC Bitsa Lenkopane pointed to the stability of the electricity grid in the country as one of the factors that might be contributing to positive results in the employment figures. The MEC also reiterated that the province will accelerate the attraction of investment into the province.
Skills development and unlocking opportunities in the tourism sector and non-traditional sectors like
biodiversity will be prioritized.
The MEC further stated the tempo on SMME support will be increased and the vision of industrializing the province through the Special Economic Zone is receiving maximum attention.
Issued by the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and
Tourism
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Mr. Thomas Matlapeng
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083 687 3649
OR
Mr. Jeremiah Matebesi
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072 333 0325
Email: JeremiahMatebesi@nwpg.gov.za
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