Africa-Press – Eswatini. The telecommunications industry experienced a surge in employment, with the overall rate increasing by 4.8 per cent from 1 384 to 1 451.
However, the story differs by segment as fixed networks experience decline. According to Eswatini Communication Commission annual report, this growth was primarily driven by the mobile network operator segment, which saw a remarkable 46.5 per cent increase in its workforce, expanding from 497 to 728 employees.
It indicates that the mobile network operator increase could be attributed to several factors.
The increasing demand for mobile data and services, fuelled by smartphone adoption and the growing popularity of online activities, has created a need for more personnel to manage and expand networks, according to ESCCOM.
However, the picture is not as rosy for fixed network operators.
The report indicates that this segment saw an 18.5 per cent decline in its workforce, shrinking from 887 to 723 employees.
This decrease was partially attributed to the movement of seasonal employees, whose contracts typically end after peak periods. However, retirement is also reported to have played a role, highlighting a potential trend of an aging workforce in this sector.
ESCCOM further noted that the telecoms industry employed a total of 1 451 employees, where 879 are males and 572 females.
“Despite the statistic depicting a predominantly male dominated demographic, a decline of 0.5 per cent from 883 to 879 males employed was observed,” said ESCCOM.
On the upside however, it is reported that female employment improved by 14.2 per cent from 501 to 572, highlighting a positive step towards ensuring increased female participation in the ICT sector.
“The country is actively working on initiatives to encourage females’ participation in the industry, with programmes such as Girls in ICT. The government, through ESCCOM, availed an educational sponsorship to one female student to undertake ICT related studies at tertiary level in the period,” said ESCCOM.
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