Jobs Up Slightly, But Not Ideally

Unemployment is slightly down and new job creation is slightly up, according to a report on South Africa's fourth quarter 2009 economics. But most of the jobs created are in the informal sector, which officials view as only a minor impact on the economy.

The Quarterly Labour Force Survey shows 116000 jobs were created in the informal sector in that quarter, more than enough to offset continuing job losses in agriculture and domestic work.

But the survey shows that the informal sector makes up less than a fifth of SA's total workforce, so if it's the swing factor in employment and unemployment, that's a concern. This is often not the "decent work" the government aspires to, and these may not be sustainable jobs.

South Africa: Little Reason to Get Excited
Business Day
February 10, 2010