Mmegi

The Latvian remedy: A bitter economic pill

Tough choices: Gaolathe has initiated cost containment in government and is spearheading the economic structural transformation agenda PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG
Tough choices: Gaolathe has initiated cost containment in government and is spearheading the economic structural transformation agenda PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG

The World Bank recommends that government slash the deficit by at least three percent of GDP as soon as possible to avoid a freefall into a debt crisis. For this year, that would require a P8.1 billion spending cut at a time when taxes and inflation are rising. MBONGENI MGUNI reports

The World Bank and its Bretton Woods fellow, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have a less than stellar history when it comes to giving governments in Africa advice about structural reforms in their economies.

In fact, many Africans, including those in the immediate regional neighbourhood, blame their persistent economic woes on structural adjustment programmes enforced by the IMF and supported by the World Bank in the 1980s and 1990s.

Editor's Comment
Public servants deserve better than union infighting

‘The strongest bond of human sympathy outside the family relation should be one uniting working people of all nations and tongues and kindreds’.- Abraham LincolnUntil then, the Council’s operations remain suspended, delaying critical decisions affecting thousands of public sector employees.The current standoff is between the Manual Workers Union on one side and the Six Cooperating Trade Unions, namely BONU, BOPEU, BTU, BDU, BOSETU and...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up