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The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) met with the United Democratic Movement in Pretoria yesterday. Key matters under discussion included unemployment, poverty, economic inequality, with the dumping of imported goods and the youth wage subsidy in particular.

FEDUSA’s National Executive Committee decided that, although the Federation is politically non-aligned, it should engage with all political parties to discuss important policy developments.

“FEDUSA and the UDM agreed that corruption in government and political infighting in the ruling party are two of the main reasons why the plans to build our economy have not been implemented,” said FEDUSA General Secretary Dennis George.

Concern was raised about the delay in spending the R5 billion youth employment subsidy proposed by government. The unease in certain quarters that this plan will displace older workers and is subject to abuse can be mitigated by having a system in place that governs the spending of the money and placing conditions on the receipt of any such subsidies.

The fact that the African National Congress (ANC), at its policy conference, rejected the youth wage subsidy as proposed by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, only succeeded in further delaying the implementation of plans to get our young people to work. They indicated that the new "job seeker’s grant", would be further fleshed out at the ANC’s national conference in December 2012. More than a year has passed since NEDLAC’s discussion on the topic in 2011. At this rate young South Africans will only reap the benefits of these funds in eighteen month’s time if they are lucky.

“FEDUSA agreed with the UDM that an economic indaba should be hosted, where all stakeholders meet under one roof, to discuss the faltering South African economy and possible solutions to set it on a path to inclusive and sustainable growth,” concluded George.