JP Landman
Political & Trend Analyst
(Un)Employment & Labour Relations
Slowly improving co-ordination
2018-10-09 651 views
An acquaintance in the Union Buildings once had this profound observation of leaders since the advent of democracy: “Mandela gave us freedom, Mbeki gave us discipline, Zuma gave us chaos”. After working through the recent Job Summit agreement, one could add: “….Ramaphosa is giving us co-ordination”.
Contradictions galore
2016-05-13 228 views
The developments and contradictions of the past month are too many to keep in one’s head.
The noise around (Un)Employment
2015-07-15 588 views
Our recent client road show focused on the distinction between noise and real trends. Currently, we hear a lot of noise about our labour markets, prompting the question what are the real trends around (un)employment. From a variety of public sources we can establish the following.
September, strikes
2013-09-30 440 views
The number of mandays lost due to strikes has averaged 3.4 million for the nearly two decades since democracy. That is the average; the actual number fluctuated wildly from less than 1 million to over 12 million in some years.
Less to Labour, July 2013
2013-07-11 599 views
For half a century, since the Second World War, the division of the spoils of economic growth between labour and capital remained stable. As economies grew, so the total income of labour and capital grew at almost exactly the same rate.
The Paradox Continues
2013-05-15 476 views
Recent political news was dominated by the Guptas at Waterkloof and the unemployment numbers. We leave the Guptas to bigger forces and focus on the (un)employment numbers.
Getting beyond doctrine
2013-04-09 426 views
In last month’s comment I gave a summary of the numerous pressures that are building in SA’s labour relations system. This month I want to discuss one of the two contentious issues in our labour relations system– the ability to create more jobs.
Labour Market Institutions Under Pressure
2013-04-09 464 views
The way labour relations are organised in SA is under pressure from a variety of quarters. For your interest we provide an overview of developments and speculate about how it can play out.
Stability in the public sector, strikes down
2012-08-13 387 views
The snow that fell in parts of the country is as unusual as two developments that have taken place on SA’s labour relations scene.
Understanding more of (un)employment
2011-10-12 524 views
In the midst of all the turmoil and volatility on the financial markets, September was quite a seminal month for the SA labour market. A ground-breaking wage agreement was struck in the Clothing & Textile Industry, and two important reports were published that enhance our understanding of the labour market.
Worst strike season ever
2010-09-15 339 views
"The numbers merely confirm what we already knew - it was the worst strike season in SA history. Including Monday the 6th September, our estimate of the man days lost through strike action came to 16,3 million for the year to date."
Pres Zuma`s biggest challenge
2010-02-16 293 views
The stark reality facing SA in 2010 can be summarised in one word: unemployment.
December - myths about SA
2009-12-15 279 views
"Following on last month`s Newsletter where we analysed the unemployment problem in SA, I want to explore the topic further by looking at the role of the public sector in unemployment relief."
Unemployment shocker
2009-11-09 332 views
"It has been quite a hectic month in politics, what with unemployment numbers, the mini-budget, Julius Malema`s calls for nationalisation and the intense debate on whether Cosatu/Ebrahim Patel/SACP has swung the ANC to the left"
Strikes and unrest - SA`s winter of discontent.
2009-08-08 292 views
"The combined effect of strikes and social unrest has attracted the attention of all, including the international news networks. Lets analyse them separately as they are driven by very different circumstances and causes."
Jobs and promises of jobs - beyond the noise.
2009-07-10 359 views
In his recent State of the Nation address pres Jacob Zuma promised that 500 000 ôemployment opportunitiesö would be created before the end of the year.
(Un)Employment Update
2008-09-10 233 views
<br>The recently released June 2008 Labour Force Survey enables us to update our understanding of employment trends.<br><br>
Employment Trends, May 2007
2007-06-19 237 views
Why are private equity companies so keen to buy SA retailers? There are a number of reasons, global liquidity and low interest rates amongst them...
POLITICS WEEKLY - progress with unemployment
2005-04-07 218 views
Progress with unemployment
Developments in the Labour Market
2001-10-12 246 views
"While employment is declining in the formal private as well as in the formal public sector, the latest figures indicate that the informal sector is creating jobs. <br><br> |The increase in formal private sector employment registered in the 4 th quarter"
Shudders and Fundamentals
2001-08-24 236 views
"The shudders we warned about in July and August have materialised, creating much uncertainty. A few more should be expected. At the same time, a number of fundamental trends are very favourable. We list some and discuss one of them, Exports, in some detai"
"The workers are marching, but not where you think"
2001-08-01 245 views
"WHILE you were too busy trying to make a profit in a sluggish economy, the labour market around you has been steadily changing. Now is the time to sit up and take note it is a different world out there and it impacts on you. <br><br> New data from the"
Developments in the Labour Market and on the Land Issue
2001-06-28 236 views
The latest Quarterly Bulletin of the Reserve Bank (SARB) reveals some interesting trends in the SA labour market:<br><br> 1. Is the tide turning on employment? Formal private-sector employment increased during the last quarter of 2000 by about 7`000
Significant trend breaks in the labour market
2001-02-03 325 views
"The year 2000 was a good one for the labour market. Strikes were down considerably; wage settlements kept declining; labour productivity increased again, consolidating a ten year trend of consistent improvements; and unit labour cost registered its lowest"
Verrassings in die arbeidsmark
2001-02-01 248 views
"TWEE verslae wat onlangs vrygestel is, bevat verrassende inligting oor die SA arbeidsmark. Die eerste, deur Andrew Levy and Associates (ALA), dui aan tot watter mate militante gedrag deur vakbonde afgeneem het. Die tweede, die SA Reserwebank se Kwarta"
Financial Markets Conference
2000-10-30 264 views
"At a conference at Sun City this weekend, the Reserve Bank was positive about growth figures for Q3. It is likely that foreign exchange control for individuals will be abolished next year especially since the move to a resistance based tax system. Forex c"
Interest Rate
2000-10-20 224 views
"One of the main factors driving the interest rate is the Forward Book, which currently stands at $12 billion where it was at $10 billion. If this is true then it is an indication of just how bad things are. It would have nothing to do with the rising oil"
SA
2000-10-17 266 views
Whether raising interest rates is right or wrong is not the point. The governor is willing to show his independence in taking unpopular action to curb inflation. This morning`s inflation data and Q3 BoP numbers may throw further light on his action. Earli
Political & Industrial Relations Fax
1999-11-18 246 views
Political & Industrial Relations Fax
Final Election Preview
1999-05-31 240 views
"The markets will respond positively to the first and third objectives. Mbeki`s approach will reinforce the structural adjustment we have forecast for the South African economy. As this process becomes clearer over the next five to six months, it is likely"