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Statement by Andre Venter, spokesperson of the trade union UASA:
The fact that South Africa’s economy grew marginally by 0.7% in the third quarter of 2015, as announced by Statistics SA yesterday, is nothing short of a miracle after the second-quarter contraction of 1.3%.

This is so especially in an environment of higher unemployment, the fact that we were on the brink of a recession and, of course, our unstable currency. Perhaps this is proof that our economy is "resilient" and that it has a strong foundation.

However, it is clear that Government should not interfere with what is working well and should rather lend support when and where challenges rear their head. Cases in point are the constructive cooperation among all stakeholders in the mining and metal and engineering sectors which is already yielding results, despite negative factors such as the current drought and limited electricity. The worst Government can do is to withdraw much needed aid.

UASA urges the private sector to go full-out using innovation to capitalise on the weak rand and by exporting goods, rather than moving their businesses abroad. The country simply cannot afford further job losses.

Issued by UASA