South African workers could be facing a very bleak Christmas. Thousands of jobs have already been shed this year and it seems the pain is far from over.

The economic slowdown has slowed demand for natural resources. The result is that thousands of mine workers in South Africa have lost their jobs with gold miners probably the worst off. Not only are they facing a global recession, but many mines are also nearing the end of their lives. Harmony Gold, one of the world's biggest gold mines, is planning to shut down six shafts next year. This means 2 100 workers will be without jobs.

Many companies are trying to find ways to become more cost effective to survive. Cellphone giant MTN said yesterday that about 400 of its permanent work force will have to go. An unknown number of temporary staff will also be cut off.

Gradual slowdown

However, economists say things will get better. Economist Azar Jamine says, “We are likely to see a gradual slowdown in retrenchments in the economy. But, by the latter part of next year, you might start seeing some employment creating – but, not on the scale of hundreds of thousands as the kind that we saw back earlier in the decade.”

Yesterday, the Democratic Alliance (DA) accused President Jacob Zuma of misleading people with his promise that Government would create 500 000 new jobs before December. The party said it was as clear then as it is now that the promise would not be fulfilled.

According to newspaper reports, Zuma admitted to the ANC's National Executive Committee last week that Government was nowhere near meeting the target. The DA's Athol Trollip said Government is not doing enough to cut the high unemployment rate.

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