‘Urgently address youth, women unemployment’

John Manzongo Herald Reporter
African governments should develop urgent intervention mechanisms to address unemployment among youths and women, who constitute the majority of their populations.

Addressing participants, who are undergoing training on rethinking strategies for employment creation and mitigating job losses at the African Regional Labour Administration Centre (ARLAC) in Harare yesterday, ARLAC acting director Dr Locary Hlabanu said countries need to change their vision and begin to motivate, inspire and empower their people.

“The disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals need special focus. Governments must build social structures that will inform, encourage and facilitate the release of the human spirit in positive and constructive pursuits,” he said.

Kenyan Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Lucy Chelimo said employees should be provided with key benefits that safeguard them, and governments must secure and protect existing jobs to guarantee tax inflows and reduce poverty among citizens.

Ambassador Chelimo urged the participants to promote public and private employment services, employment of disabled persons and the creation of small to medium enterprises.

The one week workshop was attended by government, employers and workers’ representatives from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Swaziland, Liberia and Namibia.