**South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has announced that $300m (£177m) has been set aside for a training scheme to help workers facing redundancy.**Mr Zuma said the money would provide up to three months paid training for low-income workers.
This would allow companies to temporarily suspend employees for the period, rather then dismiss them.
South Africa has entered its first recession in 17 years, which has led to numerous jobs losses.
The BBC’s Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg says the government has come under fire recently for not doing enough to cushion the blow of the recession on the country’s unskilled labour who are the first to be made redundant.
The country has also been hit by several strikes recently with workers wanting and often receiving huge pay rises.
And last month there were violent demonstrations in some townships where residents were demanding better services like water and housing.
The unrest is seen as Mr Zuma’s main challenge since taking office in May.
Mr Zuma said the money, to come from the national skills and unemployment insurance funds, would benefit workers earning up to 180,000 rand ($24,000, £13,630) a year.
Certain guidelines will govern who is eligible for the scheme, which comes into effect next month, including that the training be relevant to the needs of the company.
It will include training such as basic literacy and numeracy and computer skills.
The government is also expected to help struggling businesses in the car industry and announce a rescue package for the clothing and textiles industry.