Online Reporter
Judith Phiri, Zimpapers Business Hub
THE Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare has called on National Employment Councils (NECs) to pursue sustainable investment options, as these are critical for strategic planning and sound financial stewardship.
With 48 NECs covering 40 economic sectors in the country, investment projects align with the infrastructure and utilities pillar of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and demonstrate the type of resilience that will be required in the NDS2 era, as the country moves towards attainment of an upper middle-income society by the year 2030.
Recently, Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, director for Labour Administration, Mr Clemence Vusani said institutional resilience required sustainable financing and asset ownership.
“We commend the NECs that have made significant progress in infrastructure development and investment. Particular mention goes to NEC for the Motor Industry, which has recently acquired property as an investment and NEC for Sugar Milling and National Employment Council for Ferro Alloy who have completed the construction of its own premises,” he said.
“We call upon all more NECs to pursue sustainable investment options which are critical to reduce operational costs and enhance NEC visibility and stakeholder confidence.”
He said as a Ministry they believed in the growth and development of the sectors and industries the NECs represent.
Mr Vusani said as most of the NECs offices were based in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru and Mutare they were looking forward to expanding into places like Norton, Mberegwa and Gokwe North.
He added: “NECs should also consider expanding to other places were their activities are mostly based. There are big NECs like Commerce, Mining and Agriculture, try and spread your wings to other places so that you can reach out to everyone as Government says make sure no one is left behind.”
Mr Vusani said the launch of the Labour Market Information System (LMIS) in the second quarter of the year will ensure the Ministry receives statistics from the NECs for them to be able to measure growth and employment partners among others.
He said the system will provide them with critical information that will highlight if they are making progress or not.
