EWN reports that there are concerns about the huge job shedding recorded in the first quarter of 2023 and the impact it will have on the future of the country.

Statistics SA published the Quarterly Employment Statistics for the first quarter on Tuesday, which revealed that approximately 21,000 jobs were lost between January and March 2023. Chief economist at Econonometrix, Dr Azar Jammine, said that the decrease in permanent jobs, compared to an increase in part-time jobs, highlighted an emerging pattern for employers. "That speaks to various structural problems in the economy, especially the power of the trade unions that is compelling a lot of businesses to try and shy away from granting people full-time employment, and instead employing them on a part-time basis to try and avoid the ravages of the trade unions," he commented. Meanwhile, Investec economist Lara Hodes pointed out that the reported drop in monthly earnings and bonuses paid to employees was another predicament for financially stretched households.

• Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Thabiso Goba at EWN

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