UNEMPLOYMENT LOWER BUT STILL AT UNACCEPTABLE LEVELS

In a statement issued today the President of SACCI, Mr Chose Choeu, said: QUOTE: The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) is gladdened by the decrease in the official unemployment level to 24.9%, in the second quarter of 2012 although this number is still far too high for the sustainable development of South Africa.  The broad unemployment figure (i.e. adding discouraged workers to the unemployed) also decreased from 38.2% to 37.8% in the same quarter.  Despite the decrease, it is extremely worrying that nearly every second South African adult is without work.  SACCI is mindful of the range of factors impeding job creation, such as the skills deficit, but the main culprit remains inflexible labour legislation.

SACCI COPPER THEFT BAROMETER:  JUNE 2012

The Copper Theft Barometer declined to a level of R17.9 million in June from R23 million in May 2012 and R27.5 million in April.  This is the third month characterised by a substantial decline in the barometer since the peak of R34.7 in March. 

We also refer to the new SACCI Copper Theft Volume Indicator which provides an indication of how much copper is stolen as opposed to a rand value of what is stolen. The Copper Theft Volume Indicator recorded a level of 288 tons in June, down from the 356 tons in May, a 19% drop on a monthly basis.  The declines in both the Barometer and Volume Indicator confirm that copper theft levels have dropped substantially over the course of the second quarter of 2012. 

SACCI COPPER THEFT BAROMETER:  JUNE 2012

The Copper Theft Barometer declined to a level of R17.9 million in June from R23 million in May 2012 and R27.5 million in April.  This is the third month characterised by a substantial decline in the barometer since the peak of R34.7 in March. 

We also refer to the new SACCI Copper Theft Volume Indicator which provides an indication of how much copper is stolen as opposed to a rand value of what is stolen. The Copper Theft Volume Indicator recorded a level of 288 tons in June, down from the 356 tons in May, a 19% drop on a monthly basis.  The declines in both the Barometer and Volume Indicator confirm that copper theft levels have dropped substantially over the course of the second quarter of 2012. 

SACCI ENGAGEMENT WITH THE MINISTRY TRADE AND INDUSTRY

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, together with partner Pfizer, held a business dialogue breakfast with the Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon Dr. Rob Davies, MP, on Wednesday, 25 July 2012.  The purpose of the engagement, part of SACCI’s ongoing program of engagement with Government, is to place issues of concern as well as possible solutions on the table.  In a statement issued today the CEO of SACCI, Mr Neren Rau, said:

QUOTE:

SACCI supports the position of the Minister of Trade and Industry at today’s business dialogue that it is crucial to the process of job creation that South Africa must raise productivity in the economy broadly, and specifically in the manufacturing sector. South Africa’s historical competitive edge (cheap electricity) is no longer available and a structural change is needed to reposition the productive economy towards higher levels of value addition.