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| DIRECTORIES | |  | Staff member | | | Dr Miriam Altman | |
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Research outputs |
Research Reports |
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Altman, M., Hart, T. & Jacobs, P. (2010) Food security in South Africa. (March).
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The Human Sciences Research Council led a project to review household food security status in South Africa. This project was aimed at ensuring affordable quality food for poor households and considering the short- and long-term contribution of food
security to the government's poverty and unemployment reduction strategies. This paper offers an overview of the main findings.
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Altman, M. (2009) Can South Africa's employment targets be met in the context of the global economic crisis?. (May).
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The scenarios are updated in this paper to take into account the potentially dramatic impact of the global economic crisis (GEC). A straight path from historical to future employment figures will no longer be relevant, and therefore need to be interrogated. There is little doubt that employment growth will be affected for at least a few years, and could be affected for a decade. There is absolu...
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Altman, M. (2009) Comment on Eskom's MYPD 2 proposal. (15 December).
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In 2008, the HSRC prepared a study which was funded by TIPS/Commark on the request of the Sector Strategies Co-ordinator in the Presidency. The study investigated the potential economic impact of differently distributed pricing or rationing options aimed at reducing peak electricity usage and electricity consumption. The study also considered the potential impact of different pricing proposals ...
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Altman, M. & Global Sustainable Development, (2009) Employment through procurement: research report. (May).
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The project involves developing and disseminating a knowledge base of procurement strategies to achieve socio-economic objectives, by working with a reference group of partner large companies.
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Altman, M., Mather, A., Fleming, D. & Harris, H. (2009) The impact of electricity price increases and rationing on the South African economy: potential energy savings: a review by sector: a review of potential incentives for promoting energy efficiency. (February).
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Altman, M. & Potgieter-Gqubule, F. (2009) The state of youth: labour market status & policy challenges. (Commissioned by the Department of Social Development, December).
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South Africa's demographic profile and its youth bulge provides a unique opportunity to make substantial progress over the next decade or so with reducing unemployment and poverty, and to fundamentally change the structure of its labour force. To do
this, requires deliberate policies and interventions to address the situation, which young people continue to face in the post-apartheid labour ma...
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Altman, M. (2009) Tshwane Centre of Excellence on Employment Creation strategic interventions to support youth employability. (November).
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Altman, M. & Potgieter-Gqubule, F. (2009) Youth population scenarios: phase 1: the status of youth: overview of phase 1 theme papers. (Commissioned by the Department of Social Development, December).
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The theme papers are aimed at providing a foundation for understanding the situation of the post-apartheid generations of youth, aspects of the policy context and the major issues which will influence how the South African demographic transition will
unfold over the next decade or so. These papers are meant to stimulate discussion, and hopefully at the end of the process, provide some guide to...
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Altman, M. (2008) Administered prices study on economic inputs: ports, rail, water: executive summary. (March).
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This report examines the prices of goods and services provided by entities owned by the South African government in water, rail and ports. Prices in these three sectors are referred to as 'administered' due to the public ownership of the entities providing them. Furthermore, each sector provides important economic inputs for firms and consumers in the rest of the economy. Their pricing conduct ...
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Altman, M. & Ngandu, S. (2008) Dynamic and follower sectors. (March).
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This paper outlines some of the policy choices that need consideration in promoting the deepening and expansion of dynamic traded goods and services. The specific focus of this paper is to identify how sectors that are typically thought of as "follower" with low potential for productivity growth, might become "leader" or "dynamic" sectors.
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Altman, M. & Marock, C. (2008) Employability of school leavers. (September).
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Altman, M. (2008) Formal-informal economy linkages. (Commissioned by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Science and Technology, March).
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The persistence of high levels of unemployment, poverty and inequality are widely recognised as major socio-economic challenges for South Africa. The informal economy is often seen as an important component in expanding economic participation. However, the conceptualisation of what this practically means is not always played out. The expansion of the informal economy can have a positive effect ...
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Altman, M. & Burns, J. (2008) Getting incentives right: the role of wage and employment subsidies and job search assistance programmes in reducing youth unemployment. (August).
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Altman, M., Davies, R., Mather, A., Fleming, D. & Harris, H. (2008) The impact of electricity price increases and rationing on the South African economy. (Final report to the National Electricity Response Team (NERT), Economic Impact Task Team, July).
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This report assesses the economic impact of electricity cuts on the South African economy. The study investigates the potential economic impact of differently distributed pricing or rationing options aimed at reducing peak electricity usage and electricity consumption. More specifically, the objective was to:
- Assess the economy-wide impact of a reduction in electricity use of up to 10%, dif...
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Altman, M. & Boyce, G. (2008) Policy options to leverage the system of social grants for improved access to economic opportunity. (February).
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This study identifies possible policy options to increase economic participation amongst social grant beneficiary households. It is assumed that the majority of participants would work it they could and that a minority would shirk.
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Altman, M. & Boyce, G. (2008) Policy options to leverage the system of social grants for improved access to economic opportunity. Paper 2: policy instruments and options. (February).
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This study identifies possible policy options to increase economic participation amongst social grant beneficiary households. It is assumed that the majority of participants would work it they could and that a minority would shirk.
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Altman, M. & Burns, J. (2008) Reducing youth unemployment in South Africa: where to intervene?. (August).
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Altman, M. & Hemson, D. (2008) The role of expanded public works programmes in halving unemployment. (February).
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This paper reviews the impact of EPWP on unemployment to date. The paper then looks to its contribution in future, particularly in the context of government's commitment to halving unemployment and poverty by 2014. Some of the challenges in scaling up to meet unemployment targets are outlined.
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Altman, M. (2007) 2030 horizon scanning in South Africa: domestic economy. (Commissioned by the Department for International Development (DFID), United Kingdom, September).
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No abstract available due to confidential status.
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Altman, M. (2007) Commentary on labour force participation rates. (August).
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The HIV/AIDS pandemic has caused many to believe that the labour force might stagnate or shrink. This might be a realistic assumption in the context of very high rates of infection amongst young women in particular. However, this is an explanation potentially given by a demographer, not a labour market economist. There are many reasons why labour force participation rates might still grow in...
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Altman, M. (2007) Employment scenarios to 2024. (September).
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Unemployment and low levels of economic participation are amongst the greatest challenges facing South African society, economy and therefore government. In this light, the South African government has adopted targets of halving unemployment and poverty by 2014. This would reduce unemployment from about 26% in 2004 to 13% in 2014. This paper assembles a set of possible scenarios for 2024, on th...
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Altman, M. (2007) An employment strategy framework: reducing poverty through scalable job creation. (A paper prepared for the Jobs for Growth Programme of ASGI-SA, April).
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Altman, M. (2007) Policy options to leverage the system of social grants for improved access to economic opportunity: executive summary. (December).
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The system of grants offers a powerful instrument that can be leveraged. The state reaches 11 million individuals once per month through a trusted source that reliably gives them money. This may enhance the efficacy of any intervention, it will also enable monitoring and evaluation of any intervention, since beneficiaries have a strong incentive to stay in the system.
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Altman, M. (2007) Youth labour market challenges in South Africa. (September).
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This paper identifies some labour market challenges facing South African youth. It aims to promote debate as part of the HSRC's Youth Initiative. In South Africa, youth are twice as likely to be unemployed, with 58% of young people aged 15-19 and 50% aged 20-24 unemployed in 2005. However, the South African concept of 'youth' (15-34 years old) might not be very helpful to a discussion about la...
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Altman, M. (2006) Background to employment scenarios. (August).
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Altman, M. (2006) Elements of employment scenario building: how do sources of job creation matter?. (October).
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Altman, M. (2006) Elements of scenario building: do sources of job creation matter?. (November).
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Altman, M. (2006) Setting targets for unemployment reduction and employment creation. (November).
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Altman, M., Du Toit, R., Sephiri, T. & Kaiser Associates, (2005) Employment through government procurement. (Prepared for the DG Economic & Employment Cluster and the DG Social Cluster, March).
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Altman, M. (2005) Project overview: leveraging services for the growth, employment and equity. (Prepared for the DG Economic & Employment Cluster and the DG Social Cluster, March).
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Altman, M. (2005) Research gaps: labour market function and policy in South Africa. (Final report to SIDA, October).
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Altman, M., Van der Heijden, T. & Mayer, M. (2005) Review of data on trade in services. (Report prepared for the PCAS, Office of the Presidency, Commissioned and funded by German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), 28 April).
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Altman, M., Gostner, K., Lee, D., Tregenna, F., van der Heijden, T. & Onyango, D. (2005) Review of employment & remuneration trends for selected sectors in the SA economy. (Report prepared for the PCAS, Office of the Presidency, April).
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Altman, M. (2005) A review of labour markets in South Africa: references. (Commissioned by SIDA, October).
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Altman, M. (2005) A review of labour markets in South Africa: research gaps: labour market function and policy in South Africa. (Commissioned by SIDA, October).
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Altman, M. (2005) A review of labour markets in South Africa: wage trends and dynamics in South Africa. (Commissioned by SIDA, October).
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Wage formation is a highly sensitive affair. It lies at the heart of a power play between workers and employers, who are always jockeying for position. Wages play an important role in the broader economy from both efficiency and equity perspectives.
As part of a broader labour market review, this paper considers the state of knowledge on wage determination in South Africa (SA).
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Altman, M., van der Heijden, T., Mayer, M. & Lewis, G. (2005) A review of trade in services. (April).
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The flow of trade in services is notoriously difficult to measure, and therefore it is difficult to identify what role it is playing in driving growth and competitiveness in the SA economy. This report therefore reviews the official data on trade in services and compares it to other available sources of information to get a sense of the extent to which the official data might be reflecting the ...
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Altman, M. & Woolard, I. (2004) Employment & unemployment trends in South Africa 1995-2002. (April).
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Altman, M., Mayer, M., Woolard, I., Du Toit, R., Zuma, K. & Phakathi, S. (2004) Framework for evaluating the expanded public works programme. (Commissioned by the Department of Public Works, April).
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The purpose of this report is to set out a framework for evaluating the impact of the EPWP. The monitoring framework is provided in a separate document. It is important to highlight, at the outset, that the development of a monitoring and evaluation framework for the EPWP prior to its implementation represents best practice both internationally and within national government.
The report provid...
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Altman, M. & Lee, D. (2004) Meeting equity targets: are there enough graduates?. (January).
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For the purpose of reaching equity targets, a number of sectors have expressed concern that the higher education sector may not be offering sufficient supply of black graduates. This brief offers some baseline data to identify the possible pool learners and graduates from previously disadvantaged groups, from which industry might source its future employees. The information is sourced from HEMI...
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Altman, M. (2002) KwaZulu-Natal economic review. (November).
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This national context both explains the structural changes that are emerging within the KZN economy and creates the parameters within which a provincial-level industrial strategy can be framed.
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Altman, M.A., Mayer, M.J. & Tregenna, F. (2003) Employment and basic needs: a framework for job creation in construction, social services and food. (Paper presented to the Economic and Social Cluster).
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Altman, M.A., Mayer, M.J. & Tregenna, F. (2003) Overview of services industries in South Africa. (Paper prepared for the Services Sub-committee of the DG's Economic and Employment Cluster).
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Altman, M.A., Mayer, M., Steyn, G, Roberts, S., Slater, D., Gostner, K., Letlape, L.M., Daniels, R., Meyer, L., Rowe Setz, J., Liddell, D. & Dreyer, L. (2003) Promotion of secondary industrial development & clustering in Mpumalanga stainless steel & chemical cluster: research report. (Prepared for the Department of Finance and Economic Affairs, Mpumalanga Province March 2003).
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Altman, M.A., Mayer, M.J., Woolard, I.D., Mini, S.E., Vass, J.R., du Toit, R. & Roodt, J. (2003) Strategic review of the Eastern Cape's labour market. (Client report: Eastern Cape Development Corporation. December 2003).
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Hassen, E.-K. & Altman, M. (2007) Employment scenarios for the public service in South Africa. (August).
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The public service is a significant source of employment in South Africa, accounting for about 13% to 14% of formal employment. Until recently, it played a diminishing role, dampening employment growth in the economy. What should its role be in employment creation, if any? This is a particularly important question in the context of high structural unemployment, with a labour market that is char...
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Motala, S. & Altman, M. (2009) Tshwane centres of excellence in policy innovation: early childhood development services in Tshwane scoping study findings and strategy report. (Commissioned by the City of Tshwane, Integrated Community Development Directorate, Health and Social Development Department, November).
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Ngandu, S., Altman, M., Cross, C., Jacobs, P., Hart, T. & Matshe, I. (2010) The socio-economic impact of the global downturn on South Africa: responses and policy implications. (Commissioned by Oxfam, South Africa, November).
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The report starts with a discussion of the channels through which the global economic crisis (GEC) was transmitted to South Africa. Unlike other emerging economies where the impact was largely transmitted via decreases in traded manufactures and remittances, the impact in South Africa was mostly experienced through decreases in private capital inflows, commodity exports, and reductions in trade...
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Phillips, S., Harrison, K., Mondlane, M., Van Steenderen, W., Gordon, R., Oosthuizen, M., Weir-Smith, G. & Altman, M. (2009) Evaluation of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in the North West. (Commissioned by the North West Department of Public Works, Road and Transport, October).
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The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the EPWP in the North West in the first five years of the programme, with the aim of producing recommendations for scaling up the programme in the next five years. The study included case studies of
three environmental sector, three infrastructure sector, and an environmental sector project; interviews and workshops, and desktop review. In...
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Richter, L., Panday, S., Emmett, T., Makiwane, M., Du Toit, R., Brookes, H., Potgieter, C., Altman, M. & Mukhara, M. (2005) The status of youth report 2003: young people in South Africa. (Commissioned by the Umsobomvu Youth Fund, November).
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The Status of the Youth Report (SYR) 2003-2004 was commissioned by the Umsobomvu Youth Fund as a background document against which to make future, regular assessments of the state of young people in South Africa. The Report is made up of two components: first, a review of existing literature and available secondary data sources and second, a nationally representative survey of young people betw...
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Richter, L., Cosser, M., Altman, M., Moleke, P. & Pather, R. (2003) Advocacy document: youth education, livelihoods and employment. (Commissioned by Umsobomvu Youth Fund (UYF), October).
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The purpose of the document is to showcase the environment in which UYF is operating, looking at the needs of young people, formal and informal livelihood activities, and the capacity of youth service providers to respond to issues of education, livelihoods and employment of South African youth. The document is based on a review of research commissioned by the UYF to date as well as other sign...
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Valodia, I., Davies, R., Altman, M. & Thurlow, J. (2007) Economic behaviour in South Africa's informal economy. (Commissioned by the Conflict and Governance Facility (CAGE), October).
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This report contributes to a larger project that seeks to understand the competitive behaviour of informal firms in a growing economy. This is relevant in SA where the formal economy dominates, and both output and employment are growing more rapidly than in the informal economy. In this situation, the informal economy does not appear to be dragging incomes down. But will informal economic activ...
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Books and chapters in books |
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Altman, M. (2008) Foreword. In: Lorentzen, J. (ed). Resource intensity knowledge and development: insights from Africa and South America. Cape Town: HSRC Press. ix-xi.
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Altman, M. & Mayer, M. (2003) Overview of industrial policy. In Human resources development review 2003: education, employment and skills in South Africa. Human Sciences Research Council Cape Town: HSRC Press. 64-85.
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This chapter analyses the impact of industrial policy on the demand for labour. Its shows that South Africa?s industrial development has historically been driven by minerals extraction and import-substitution industrialisation, overlaid by apartheid policies aimed at excluding the majority of the population from the economy. This entrenched a growth path characterised by capital-intensive prod...
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Altman, M. (2003) The state of employment and unemployment in South Africa. In State of the nation: South Africa 2003-2004. Daniel, J., Habib, A. & Southall, R. (eds). Cape Town: HSRC Press. 158-183.
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This chapter outlines the experience of employment, under employment and unemployment, and then moves on to explain possible causes and policy implications.
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Altman, M.A. (2004) The state of employment. In State of the nation: South Africa 2004-2005. Daniel, J., Southall, R. & Lutchman, J. (eds). Cape Town: HSRC Press. 423-454.
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Altman, M.A. (2002) Employment policy in a minerals economy. In The urgency of full employment. Carlson, E. & Michell, W. (eds). Sydney: CAER-UNSW. 245-263.
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Hall, E., Altman, M., Nkomo, N., Peltzer, K. & Zuma, K. (2005) Potential attrition in education: the impact of job satisfaction, morale, workload and HIV/AIDS. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
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The decision to change one's job is usually preceded by a process of job evaluation and determining alternative employment opportunities. Dissatisfaction with the workplace can be a strong incentive to seek alternative opportunities. This study focuses on the role played by job satisfaction, morale and HIV/AIDS in educator attrition. The responses of educators who considered leaving their jobs ...
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Higson-Smith, C., Richter, L. & Altman, M. (2004) Care as vocation and occupation. In: Watson, R. & Swartz, L. (eds). Transformation through occupation. London: Whurr Publishers. 254-267.
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the most important policy for socially equitable development is full employment. The unemployed are not just a statistic or an underutilized resource that could have increased gross domestic product. They are people, and no numbers can convey the degree of disruption that unemployment brings to their lives, their livelihoods, and the well-being of their families. Although safety nets and tar...
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Lowitt, S. & Altman, M. (2008) Overview of the economy and economic policy. In: Kraak, A. & Press, K. (eds). Human resources development review 2008: education, employment and skills in South Africa. Cape Town: HSRC Press. 29-49.
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This chapter provides a high-level review of the economy's performance and key policy development for the period 2001-2003. The focus is on economic performance and policy in relation to the demand for labour, and hence as they pertain to human resource development. From a performance perspective the chapter shows that economic growth was resilient despite a global slow-down and dramatic exch...
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Journal Articles |
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Altman, M. (2011) Employment creation targets are achievable. HSRC Review. 9(1):4-5.
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The government is committed to halving unemployment between 2004 and 2014. The HSRC employment scenarios show this required the creation of five million jobs. With the downturn, the same objective has been restated. But running up to 2020, can it be achieved? Yes, absolutely, says MIRIAM ALTMAN.
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Altman, M. (2010) Jobs and the budget: easing poverty and unemployment. HSRC Review. 8(1):10-11.
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Over the past year or two, politicians have promised a 'developmental state', 'paradigm change', a 'new growth path', and 'decent work'. These forceful words demonstrate a desire by government to ease South Africa's widespread poverty and unemployment. The national budget is the clearest expression of government's policy intentions, writes MIRIAM ALTMAN.
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Altman, M. (2010) Making sense of electricity price increases. HSRC Review. 8(1):12-13.
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The heat generated around proposed electricity price increases is considerable, ignited by Eskom's requests to the regulator for what appear to be stratospheric price increases. MIRIAM ALTMAN analyses the Nersa announcement of the second Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD 2) which is meant to lay the path for the electricity price for the coming three years.
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Altman, M. (2009) Creating jobs in tough times. HSRC Review. 7(1):19-20.
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The global economic downturn poses serious challenges to South Africa's hopes of halving unemployment between 2004 and 2014, a target most recently reaffirmed in the ANC election manifesto, released in January.
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Altman, M. (2008) Expanding early childhood development services: labour market challenges. Agenda: Empowering Women for Gender Equity. 78:120-131.
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Altman, M., Hart, T.G.B. & Jacobs, P.T. (2009) Household food security status in South Africa. Agrekon. 48(4):345-361.
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The Human Sciences Research Council has established a policy research initiative to monitor household food security and to identify and evaluate policy options. In this special edition, a selection of articles from this project is assembled. While deep chronic
hunger has fallen with the expansion of the social grants, under-nutrition is a very serious and widespread challenge. This special edi...
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Altman, M. (2008) Reviewing the question. HSRC Review. 6(1):20-21.
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Dr Miriam Altman, executive director at the HSRC , answers questions on employment and job creation following Minister Trevor Manuel?s budget speech in Parliament.
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Altman, M. (2008) Revisiting South African employment trends in the 1990s. South African Journal of Economics. 76(2):March.
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This article revisits South African employment trends recorded since 1995. In particular, it investigates whether the job losses and gains recorded by the October Household Survey jobs in the mid-1990s reflect the reality. This is done by comparing the different official data sets, and by exploring alternative sources of information for three sectors that substantially influenced this trend, na...
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Altman, M. (2008) Time to mobilise frustrated jobless youth. HSRC Review. 6(3):19-20.
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The recent attacks have been described as 'xenophobic' but should really be seen as an expression of frustration. It was a matter of time before large groups of angry marginalised people acted out, says Miriam Altman.
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Altman, M. (2007) Evidence-based employment scenarios. Service Delivery Review. 6(1):24.
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This article explains the role of the Employment, Growth and Development Initiative (EGDI) as part of the focus on employment policy. It explains that if government is committed to halving unemployment and poverty this unit will be checking the targets and see to it that the target is met.
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Altman, M. (2007) Making Alexandra work. Urban Age. 5:5-6.
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Altman, M. (2006) Identifying employment-creating sectors in South Africa: the role of services industries. Development Southern Africa. 23(5):627-647.
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This paper explores scenarios for employment creation, with an emphasis on services. It considers whether the government?s current policies for the formal services sector will achieve its 2014 target of halving unemployment. New employment has mainly been found in the formal and non-formal services, and future employment will probably come from such sectors as business services,
trade, finance...
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Altman, M. & Valodia, I. (2006) Introduction: Where to for the South African labour market? Some 'big issues'. Transformation. 60:1-5.
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Altman, M. (2006) Wage determination in South Africa: what do we know?. Transformation. 60:58-89.
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Altman, M. (2004) Halving unemployment?. HSRC review. 2(3):8-9.
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Altman, M. (2004) Leveraging services for growth, employment and equity. Sisebenza Sonke. 3(2):1-22.
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South Africa has become a services economy. About 70% of GDP and 67% of total employment was generated by services in 2002. Critically, the services sector is growing faster than the primary or secondary sectors. Services grew by an average 3% per annum between 1994 and 2001, against an annual average of 2.4 % for the entire economy.
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Altman, M.A. & Ngandu, S. (2010) Would halving unemployment contribute to improved household food security for men and women?. Agenda: Empowering Women for Gender Equity. 86:52-65.
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South Africa faces great challenges with extremely high unemployment and deep poverty. A large proportion of households are challenged to meet minimum required nutrition levels. In 2009, the HSRC prepared employment scenarios to see how unemployment might be reduced by 50% between 2004 and 2014, even in the context of the downturn. These scenarios consider what working people might earn in thes...
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Cross, C., Altman, M.A. & Altman, M.A. (2010) "For us women, working is an unfiulfilled dream": womens' wage work and food security. Agenda: Empowering Women for Gender Equity. 86:25-37.
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This article reviews the findings from two small community studies in South Africa on the experience of poor households in respect of the economic downturn, employment, and food security, with special emphasis on gender dynamics. This study was implemented by the Human Sciences Research Council and funded by Oxfam International, and sought to explore the human, social and personal experiences o...
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Mayer, M.J. & Altman, M. (2005) South Africa's economic development trajectory: implications for skills development. Journal of education and work. 18(1):33-56.
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This article argues that skills development in South Africa must be aligned to the economic and political imperatives of reducing unemployment and poverty, while fostering growth and international competitiveness. The legacy of a resource-based economy, overlaid by apartheid policies, has resulted in widespread poverty, inequality and unemployment existing alongside globally competitive industr...
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Newspaper Articles |
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Altman, M. Nersa urged to stagger power hikes. Business Day. 2. (28 May 2008)
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Altman, M. Steps to keep pace with job needs. Cape Times. (26 November 2004)
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Conference and Seminar Papers |
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Altman, M. (2010) The context for career guidance in urban & rural areas addressing the challenge of youth unemployment in South Africa. (Paper presented to the National Career Guidance Conference, 14 May).
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Altman, M. & Jacobs, P. (2010) Household food and nutrition security. (Paper presented at a Food and Security Roundtable, 22 February).
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Altman, M. (2010) Household food and nutrition security. (Paper presented at the AGREKON Launch, 12 May).
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Altman, M. (2010) A national perspective on household food and nutrition security. (Paper presented to The Challenges of HIV/AIDS and Poverty to Development, JEAPP Dissemination Workshop, Sheraton Hotel, 19 May).
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Altman, M. (2010) Promoting economic development & capacity through procurement. (Paper presented to the 3rd Annual Tshwane International Trade and Infrastructure Investment Conference, CSIR ICC, 24 May).
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Altman, M. (2009) "Working in the cities". (Paper presented to SACN 3rd Urban Conference on State of the Cities, Feathermarket Hall, Nelson Mandela Bay, 24-25 November).
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Altman, M. (2009) Employment in the development path. (Paper presented to the Department of Trade and Industry, 13 July).
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Altman, M. (2009) Youth employability. (Paper presented to the Department of Higher Education, 30 November).
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Altman, M. (2009) Youth employment: challenges and opportunities. (Paper presented to the Tshwane Youth Development Unit Induction & Strategic Planning Workshop, 23 May).
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Altman, M. (2008) Centre for Poverty, Employment and Growth (CPEG): overview 2008/09 and going forward. (Paper presented to Oxford Graduate Students, October).
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Altman, M. (2008) Comment on Eskom's proposal for price increase in 2008/9. (Paper presented 26 May).
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Altman, M. (2008) Overview 2008/09, and going forward..... (Paper presented to the Oxford Grad Students, October).
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Altman, M. (2007) Evidence-based employment scenarios for South Africa: preliminary findings. (Paper presented to Brookings, 16 April).
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Altman, M. (2007) Evidence-based employment scenarios for South Africa: preliminary findings. (Paper presented to the World Bank, 17 April).
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Altman, M. (2007) Public policy in an unequal society: the case of South Africa. (Paper presented to the ILO, 12 April).
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Altman, M. (2007) What are the policy implications of the 'informal sector' becoming the 'informal economy'?. (Paper presented at the IZA/WB Conference on Employment & Development, Bonn, Germany, 8-9 June).
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Altman, M. (2006) The employment puzzle: understanding employment & unemployment in SA. (Presentation to the World Bank, 1 March).
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Altman, M. (2006) Labour markets & work places: the case of Alex's labour force. (Paper presented at the Urban Age Conference, Johannesburg, 608 July).
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Altman, M. (2006) Low wage work in South Africa. (Paper presented to IZA/World Bank Conference on Employment & Development, Berlin, Germany, 25 - 27 May).
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This paper offers some initial thoughts about the emerging character of the `working poor? in South Africa, and the implications for economic policy. The theme is particularly relevant for economies whose cost structures are not well aligned to promoting meaningful economic participation.
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Altman, M. (2004) Eskom's pricing proposal. (Paper presented to NERSA Public Hearings, Unisa, 27 May).
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Altman, M. (2003) Jobless or job creating growth?: some preliminary thoughts. (Paper presented at the TIPS/DPRU Annual Forum, 8-10 September).
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From a policy perspective, employment depends on both economic growth and the labour-absorption capacity of the economy. Policy must target both of these. Higher growth rates can be achieved through productivity improvements (technology, industry restructuring, improved know-how, etc.) and/or growth in domestic or foreign market demand. Higher growth rates are difficult to achieve, and do not ...
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Altman, M.A. & Mayer, M.J. (2003) Sector strategies for employment creation: construction, social services and food. (Paper presented at the TIPS/DPRU FORUM 2003, The Challenge of Growth and Poverty: the South African Economy Since Democracy, 8-10 September 2003, Indaba Hotel, Johannesburg).
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High and growing rates of unemployment have been a source of great frustration to policy-makers. Although exports have been buoyant and the 1990s has been the first decade of sustained growth, unemployment has been rising by 2 percentage points each year. If the expanded definition is used, the rate of unemployment reached 41.8% in September 2002. In a context where the majority of the unemploy...
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Valodia, I., Davies, R., Altman, M. & Thurlow, J. (2007) Informal traders survey. (Questionnaire to be used with economic behaviour in South Africa's informal economy, Research output no 5169).
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