Nxesi: Vaccinations are critical to preserving jobs

Johannesburg – Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi, calls for all eligible South Africans to take the Covid-19 vaccination.

This is an effort to have lockdown restrictions lifted.

Nxesi said that the economy is severely affected by the “necessary lockdown restrictions that have mostly affected non-essential activities because of the pandemic.”

“It is for this reason that we urge all the people in South Africa to make themselves available for the vaccination, so that the lockdown can be lifted once we reach the necessary herd immunity.”

“We believe that this is one of the ways that this country can arrest the shedding of jobs.”

The stats released by Statistics South Africa second quarter Labour Force Survey reveals that 34.4% of South Africans are unemployed.

According to the department of Employment and Labour, the most vulnerable who may not easily be absorbed into sustainable employment are youth, ages 15 to 34 years old.

The recent influx of vaccination for the age group, however, show that “the youth are leading from the front in securing their future…this will be the difference between the economy kick starting or not.”

“We appreciate their commitment and resolve,” Nxesi said.

The vaccination count for South Africa currently stands at 11 363 810 as of Wednesday, 25 August.

Nxesi said that the department’s hope lies in its infrastructure build programme and in public employment “to provide opportunities of employment to keep young people engaged.”

“As government, we are working closer with our social partners to ensure that the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan is being implemented as a matter of urgency.”

“We are optimistic that we will arrest this challenge of unemployment,” Nxesi said.

 

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