Chronicle Editor
Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
THE Government has said it is alive to the plight of young unemployed youths and has put in place policies and measures aimed at enhancing their employment opportunities as well as empowerment programmes meant to improve their livelihoods.
Addressing Zanu-PF Bulawayo youths after availing the US$50 000 Youth Empowerment Fund, the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube said there were a number of home-grown solutions put in place by the Second Republic meant to empower youths.
“As Government we have set up various strategies and institutions that are aimed at driving youth empowerment programmes such as the Empower Bank. The bank offers three types of loans which are the nano loans where they give from US$100-US$500 at 10 percent interest per month. The other is the youth’s business starter packs where a business proposal and collateral is required before issuance. The last is the salary-based where they give you three to five times more than your salary.
“However, for area one youths, I am availing a donation of US$50 000 that will be channelled towards empowerment projects. So what is needed now is for you to organise yourself, come up with tangible projects and get them running,” said Prof Ncube.
He said there were policies put in place by the Government to encourage the employment of youths by companies adding that the policies have been bearing positive results as evidenced by growth in the manufacturing sectors.
“A couple of years ago, we introduced a policy that when a company employs someone below the age of 35 they get a tax rebate equal to the salary that they will be paying the person employed. I later extended it to those with disabilities. This is all aimed at promoting youth employment.
“We are also witnessing investment and growth in the manufacturing sector. A few days ago I visited Arenel in Bulawayo and realised that about five years ago when I visited them they were employing about 300 people but the number has since increased to about 600. This growth is really positive and if we continue that way we should be able to address the issue of unemployment,” said Prof Ncube.
He encouraged young people to shun drug and substance abuse as it destroys their future. He said they should formalise their business enterprises in order to benefit from tender processes, loans as well as getting particular permits and licences.
The minister was responding to concerns raised by the youths who said they were facing challenges getting employment, limited and inaccessible empowerment programmes like loans which require collateral which they do not have as well as not being considered in tenders among others. – @nyeve14
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