Women remain most vulnerable in SA’s job market

There were 2 million fewer women employed in the second quarter of 2023 than men, according to the latest statistics revealed by Statistics South Africa on Tuesday.

Statistician-general Risenga Maluleke revealed the official unemployment rate decreased by 0,3% from 32.9% in quarter one to 32.6% in quarter two of 2023.

READ: Official unemployment rate drops to 32,6%

https://www.jacarandafm.com/news/news/official-unemployment-rate-drops-326/

Only 54,3% of women of working age (15 to 64 years old) in South Africa participate in the labour force either as employed or looking for work.

“The labour force participation rate for women was largest in the age group 35-44 at 72,7%; this, however, is 12 percentage points less than that of men in the same age group. Across all age groups, women are less likely to be in the labour force compared to men,” the Stats SA report said.

“The largest labour force participation gap was in the age group 45-54 at 15,5 percentage points. Female labour force participation showed an increase in all age groups between Q2:2022 and Q2:2023.”

Unemployment numbers for women remain higher than the national average, with 35,7% of South African women in the labour force currently without work and actively looking for work.

“Black African women fare even worse with an unemployment rate of 39,8% in Q2:2023, which is higher than the national average and other population groups.”

Should they be employed, women were more likely to work in low-paying jobs in vulnerable conditions.

Congress of South African Trade Union’s Matthew Parks said the continued high levels of unemployment make it difficult for desperate job seekers to demand better wages and conditions.

“The average worker, if they lose their job, will take another two years – if they are lucky – to find another job. They may not get the same pay or the same position as in the previous job. Workers are highly indebted, too, so they can’t afford to lose a job.

“Workers often sacrifice their rights out of pure desperation. You find some employers exploit that. Hence they then cut wages and pay below minimum wage.”

Parks warned that while the slight dip in the unemployment rate should be celebrated, the numbers were still too high. He adds women continue to be marginalised in employment spaces because society, in general, has failed to protect them.

“Most women will be subjected to violence, sexual harassment and GBV at some stage in their lives, including workplaces. Often it's simply ignored or swept under the carpet.”

Furthermore, Stats SA said women were more likely to be employed in private households and community and social services than men.

However, as a senior economist at First National Bank Thanda Sithole pointed out, annual employment gains had been recorded across all sectors except the private household sector.

“Detailed data indicates that it is the private household sector that has dragged on the overall recovery, reflecting mounting cost-of-living pressures,” Sithole said.

Sithole warned more employment gains were required to reduce the unemployment rate amid a growing population.

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