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ARTICLE: WORKERS DAY

mineworkers-foterWorkers Day – earlier this week – provided us with an opportunity to assess the state of employment and labour relations in our country.

The picture does not look good. 

According to StatsSA’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the 4th quarter of 2013 unemployment was at 24.1%. If one includes discouraged work-seekers the unemployment (expanded definition) rate jumps to 34%.

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ARTICLE: 50/50 DOWN ON THE FARMS

minister-nkwinti-foterThe Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) has just published its final policy proposals on land reform titled “Strengthening the Relative Rights of People Working the Land“.

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ARTICLE: THE URGENT NEED FOR ECONOMIC LITERACY

zuma-world-economic-forumIn a recent article (abridged in the Cape Times, 20 January 2014) Professor Jane Duncan pointed to the fact that although socialist ideas are widely espoused by the masses there is little reference to socialism in most of our media. She says that objective viewers “would probably conclude that socialism was consigned to the dustbin of politically bankrupt ideas long ago.”

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ARTICLE: PRIVATE LIVES AND PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITIES

private I have never, in my entire life, had even a puff of a cigarette. True, I did smoke a cigar 29 years ago when my son was born – but like Bill Clinton I did not inhale. Although I dislike smoking I am fairly tolerant of those who are addicted to tobacco (I have little choice since my wife enjoys the occasional cigarette). Nevertheless, I am happy that people may no longer smoke in planes, restaurants and other public places. I also believe that government should be commended for its vigorous anti-smoking campaign – which has cut smoking by 50% in the past 20 years.

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