We may have a more limited success in terms of bills, but the whole language of politics will be in the midst of transformation... the real breaking point is when you find yourself having a whole new debate, with new terms. That’s more important than legislative achievements. Newt Gingrich1 We are told South Africa suffers from ‘labour market inflexibility’, that investors are put off by the regulations and trade union power, and that it has ‘the highest unemployment in the world’. Although there is no evidence to support those claims (except for what all agree are woefully inadequate data), the images feed into financial brochures and shape perceptions of the country’s policy. In turn, policymakers are pushed into contemplating reforms to gain credibility. Guy Standing2
Author(s):
Bezuidenhout A & Kenny B
