Tens of thousands of skilled workers leave South Africa weekly to find more satisfying jobs in countries that are more stable financially. Image: alphaspirit/123RF
WATCH: Skilled workers prefer being out of South Africa
Skilled workers find better jobs and pay out of South Africa. Many are leaving to simply enjoy life and be safer.
Tens of thousands of skilled workers leave South Africa weekly to find more satisfying jobs in countries that are more stable financially. Image: alphaspirit/123RF
South Africa will need to introduce more appealing work conditions for skilled workers or they will take their experience elsewhere.
Thousands of skilled engineers, technicians and artisans have left to join companies overseas. Even young teachers, nurses and entrepreneurs have chosen to root themselves in countries with stable economies and currencies.
Instead South Africa has become a short holiday destination because of the high levels of crime for many skilled citizens.
Parliament discusses skilled workers’ this week
For three years Eskom and Transnet presented data on the number of skilled workers that have been lost.
Transnet noted a total of 963 resignations and retirements. A total of 606 artisans, 216 technicians and 141 engineers downed tools. Only 225 artisans and 204 technicians were hired to replace these experienced workers. Eskom has seen a net loss of 6 737 employees over the last 10 years.
In one decade 25 317 employees left Eskom either through retirement, resignations, or death. Eskom hired 17 207, only 10 942 are permanent workers while 6 265 skilled workers are hired on fixed-term contracts.
South Africa is lacking experience
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering said there was a critical shortage of engineering skills.
While employing black skilled workers was transformational it came at the cost of experienced employees leaving the industry.
Employment equity has contributed to the country’s skills’ shortage.
South Africans speak from abroad
A teacher, Nabilah Perumal, 33, works in the United Arab Emirates after not working for two years. She failed to find a teaching job which paid enough to live a normal life. “There were absolutely no jobs available for me.”
Juan Perumal, 40, works at one of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s most talked about gas companies.
“I tried to settle back here to no avail. The grass is greener outside of South Africa. Gaining employment is based on credentials and qualifications and not your race abroad,” explained Perumal.
He is a skilled health, environment and safety engineer who has almost two decades of experience outside of South Africa.
