Mankind’s worst afflictions are often created by unintended consequences of well-intentioned actions.
Take those youthful beggars with zombie stares resident at most Johannesburg traffic intersections. Guilty motorists succumbing to the begging unwittingly feed a destructive cycle – their alms contributing to R30-a-shot hits of a crushed HIV pills/Rattex concoction. A drug so vile it eats away the brain – and all hope – of those addicted.
Similar noble intentions are evident in the imminent introduction of a national minimum wage for all South African workers. Unfortunately, the well-fed do-gooders have once again forgotten to factor in unintended consequences. Economic laws do not bend for human emotions. The higher the cost of a service, the more likely we are to go without, or do it ourselves. Especially labour.
In a country with 25% unemployment – over 50% among youth – it is unconscionable for a Government to prevent people entering the workforce. Hope can only spring once a person is extracted from joblessness. Wilfully keeping people out of employment, no matter how well intentioned, should be a crime. Not a law.
From Biznews community member Rodney Lewis
Our organization is actively looking and implementing automation to reduce labour, only because of the minimum wage story. Productivity and wages go hand in hand.
We have already implemented an electronic automated filing system resulting in two jobs being made redundant. Just a matter of time and those people will resign or be paid off. Costs were a 10 terabyte additional hard drive an about $1500 programme. Compare that to the cost of two staff members and it is a no brainer. Sad to lose jobs, but we want to steer clear of a mine field. And the programme comes from India.
From Biznews community member Margaret Roestorf
With work comes dignity, opportunity and skills. Who employs an out of person with no experience? My first job as a cub reporter paid R100/month; it was in the 70’s so it probably was a living wage by today’s standards, but still, it wasn’t the money, but the chance to learn a trade on the job that was valuable. I worked in Austria where young people earned a pittance as apprentices, but they learned a trade.