Africa-Press – Namibia. THE minister of labour, industrial relations and employment creation, Utoni Nujoma, says Namibia is facing various challenges in its attempt to create employment.
THE minister of labour, industrial relations and employment creation, Utoni Nujoma, says Namibia is facing various challenges in its attempt to create employment.
He was speaking at a retreat yesterday to review and renew the work of his ministry, as well as to motivate ministry staff to effectively fulfil their mandate in Windhoek.
“We have a new situation today that presents opportunities to overcome challenges. Emerging from Covid-19, Namibia is blossoming with new ideas and new plans – particularly on the part of the government – on how to reverse the downward trend of the economy,” Nujoma said.
He said the ministry is not solely responsible for creating employment and should work in tandem with other role-players.
“Employment creation has become a mantra in the public arena and a watchword for politicians. I note that the major economic initiatives announced by the government include employment creation as an important objective,” he said.
“Some Namibian role-players even persist in the mistaken belief that growing gross domestic product, including through foreign direct investment, will automatically produce employment. That is not enough,” he said.
Nujoma said the ministry must secure the adoption by the Cabinet of a mindset and policy which places employment creation at the centre of national socio-economic development.
“After this workshop, I want to be able to approach the Cabinet for its endorsement of a suite of principles and measures that are needed to create employment,” he said.
Acting executive director of labour, industrial relations and employment creation Balbina Pienaar said: “I have come to understand that employment creation is a complex permanent project that requires maximum policy coherence, an effective and inclusive employment creation strategy that can overcome structural unemployment, informality, inequality and skills gaps, and create strong coordination across government ministries, public enterprises, the private sector, educational and training institutions and civil society.”
He was speaking at a retreat yesterday to review and renew the work of his ministry, as well as to motivate ministry staff to effectively fulfil their mandate in Windhoek.
“We have a new situation today that presents opportunities to overcome challenges. Emerging from Covid-19, Namibia is blossoming with new ideas and new plans – particularly on the part of the government – on how to reverse the downward trend of the economy,” Nujoma said.
He said the ministry is not solely responsible for creating employment and should work in tandem with other role-players.
“Employment creation has become a mantra in the public arena and a watchword for politicians. I note that the major economic initiatives announced by the government include employment creation as an important objective,” he said.
“Some Namibian role-players even persist in the mistaken belief that growing gross domestic product, including through foreign direct investment, will automatically produce employment. That is not enough,” he said.
Nujoma said the ministry must secure the adoption by the Cabinet of a mindset and policy which places employment creation at the centre of national socio-economic development.
“After this workshop, I want to be able to approach the Cabinet for its endorsement of a suite of principles and measures that are needed to create employment,” he said.
Acting executive director of labour, industrial relations and employment creation Balbina Pienaar said: “I have come to understand that employment creation is a complex permanent project that requires maximum policy coherence, an effective and inclusive employment creation strategy that can overcome structural unemployment, informality, inequality and skills gaps, and create strong coordination across government ministries, public enterprises, the private sector, educational and training institutions and civil society.”
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