Overview & Organisation
A national research programme aimed at deepening understanding of the dynamics of employment, incomes and economic trends.
The Research Project on Employment, Income Distribution and Inclusive Growth is a national research programme aimed at deepening understanding of the dynamics of employment, incomes and economic trends. By focusing on the interconnections between these three areas, the Project seeks to contribute to policy reforms and development strategies that will address South Africa’s unemployment, inequality and poverty challenges.
The research project is designed to promote dialogue across disciplines and paradigms, and to forge a stronger engagement between research and policy making. By generating an independent, rich and nuanced knowledge base and expert network, it intends to contribute to coordinated, consistent and effective policies directed to these three critical problem areas.
The Project is a multi-year collaborative, independent research initiative funded by the National Treasury and managed by the University of Cape Town’s Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (SALDRU). Collaboration with researchers at other universities and research entities and engagement with diverse perspectives on the Project’s focus areas are key objectives of the initiative.
The Project Director is Professor Murray Leibbrandt, Director of SALDRU at the University of Cape Town.
The Research Coordinator is Professor Frederick Fourie of the University of the Free State.
The Project comprises three focus areas, each led by a focus area convenor:
- Focus area 1: Unemployment and employment, convened by Frederick Fourie;
- Focus area 2: Income distribution, convened by Murray Leibbrandt; and
- Focus area 3: Inclusive growth, convened by haroon Bhorat, Director of UCT's Development Polocy Research Unit (DPRU)
Guidance and oversight is provided by a Steering Committee including representatives from the academic and policy research communities and a number of government departments. The funding and governance arrangements provide for an arms-length relationship between the National Treasury (as the Project sponsor) and participating research teams. While contributing to the formulation of the project’s scope and research questions, the Steering Committee is not responsible for research processes or findings.