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How might a national minimum wage affect the employment of youth in South Africa?

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  • Leila Patel
  • Zoheb Khan
  • Thomas Englert

Abstract

Labour market policies such as National Minimum Wages (NMW) are widely used in different countries to reduce poverty and inequality. Given the high and rising rate of youth unemployment in South Africa, we ask the question: how might a NMW affect the labour market outcomes of employed and unemployed youth? The perspectives of employed and unemployed youth aged 18–25 years were solicited through focus group discussions in five provinces. The findings suggest that a NMW could benefit youth engaged in formal employment, it could stimulate job-seeking for discouraged work seekers and is unlikely to crowd out investments in further education. However, the vast majority of unemployed youth will probably not benefit from a NMW. This is due to the multiple and complex needs of disadvantaged youth. Other social interventions are needed to address the youth unemployment crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • Leila Patel & Zoheb Khan & Thomas Englert, 2020. "How might a national minimum wage affect the employment of youth in South Africa?," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(1), pages 147-161, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:deveza:v:37:y:2020:i:1:p:147-161
    DOI: 10.1080/0376835X.2018.1552556
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. AJEIGBE Omowumi Monisola & OLOMOLA Phillip Akanni & ADELEKE Oluwayemisi Khadijat, 2021. "Dynamics of Manufacturing Sector Development and Youth Unemployment in Africa," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 5(7), pages 599-606, July.
    2. AJEIGBE Omowumi Monisola & OLOMOLA Phillip Akanni & ADELEKE Oluwayemisi Khadijat, 2021. "Dynamics of Manufacturing Sector Development and Youth Unemployment in Africa," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 5(07), pages 599-606, July.
    3. Isaac Ampofo Atta Junior, 2020. "Effect Of Organizational Politics On Job Satisfaction In Education Sector Of Ghana. A Case Study Of Christian Scholars International School, Kwadaso," Education, Sustainability & Society (ESS), Zibeline International Publishing, vol. 3(1), pages 35-40, September.
    4. Mzukisi Xweso & Catherina Schenck & Derick Blaauw, 2021. "“Will wait for the government pension here†: Structural factors impacting on day labourers’ access to employment in East London, South Africa," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 36(4), pages 308-324, June.

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