DA wants clarity over youth wage subsidy
2011-08-21 22:01
Johannesburg - Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan is being "vague" over the proposals for a youth wage subsidy, which he suggested last week, the Democratic Alliance said on Sunday.
"The DA seeks clarity on treasury job creation proposals," MP Dion George said.
"I have requested to meet with him as soon as possible to obtain further clarity on whether he intends to broaden his proposal for a wage subsidy into a wider proposal for reform."
He said the youth wage subsidy was "a limited initiative" to circumvent the impact of the current labour market.
George said it was no surprise that The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) had called for Gordhan's dismissal last week.
"We hope that the minister stands firm in the face of growing pressure from the unions."
Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim said last week that the union rejected the proposal for a youth wage subsidy - proposed by the Treasury - as it amounted to "bribing bosses so that they can exploit young workers at the expense of older workers".
"The device of youth wage subsidy is divisive and thoroughly right wing and reactionary.
"Numsa will, with Cosatu [the Congress of SA Trade Unions], combat any attempts at diluting the rights the working class have won in this country," he said.
- SAPA
