Media reports in the country said statistics indicate that a total of 208 000 people lost their jobs between December and the end of March.

The news also comes at a time as the world celebrated the Labour Day.

Congress of the South African trade union (Cosatu) spokesperson, Patrick Craven was quoted by a Sabcnews.com report as saying that the new government should make saving jobs a priority.

“We particularly want the framework agreement which was drawn up between government, business and labour in December which had a number of excellent ways to respond to the economic crisis to save jobs and to protect our economic prospects,” he said.

The current unemployment rate is said to have irked trade unions who have described it as depressing.

African National Congress (ANC) leader Jacob Zuma is the man expected to become South Africa’s president. His party won convincingly during the elections which took place last month.

Zuma has however assured the jobless that he will do everything possible within his means for them to get employment.

“We will work with all stakeholders, especially business and labour, to find ways to prevent and cushion our people against job losses and other difficulties that may rise,” Zuma said.