Maravi

LETTERS - Rupiah Banda, Joblosses

Wasteful 10-day leave
Written by T. Zulu, Lusaka
Wednesday, December 24, 2008 3:31:00 PM

President Rupiah Banda is taking a ten-day holiday.Countrymen and women, is this man serious? Jobs are being lost daily in Zambia, especially in the mines.

Konkola Copper Mine has just announced loss of potentially 800 jobs. Luanshya Mine closed (they can’t cheat us with the so-called care and maintenance nonsense), leaving 1,700 employees to be thrown onto the street, yet the President wants to take a ten-day nap? Oh no!

Those that voted for him should be ashamed. Let’s demonstrate on the streets and from every angle. Zambians, let’s stop this unwanted circus and its ringmaster from playing games with our lives. He should not take this expensive all-expense-taxpayers-paid-for holiday so soon.

What has he achieved to warrant a holiday? Shame on the MMD! The MMD should wake up and recall this UNIP turncoat.

The Church, civic leaders, PF, UPND, let’s stop this illegal nap! Who has bewitched this man?


http://www.postzambia.com/content/view/3063/64/

Landscaping
Written by Mwansa Mutanuka, Kitwe
Wednesday, December 24, 2008 3:33:29 PM

It is indeed interesting that with all the trouble brewing on in our nation, our President seems to be so relaxed, as if all was well.

Right now, he is busy landscaping and is gone on a holiday while over 2,000 miners have lost their jobs and more are yet to do so.

I’m just not sure how many of our brothers and sisters will consequently be thrown into adverse poverty, especially following the current global economic recession.

As if this is not enough, Tetamashimba is busy performing his political comedy instead of concentrating on things that matter; our national soccer team’s coach, Herve Renard, doesn't know where his next pay is going to come from and the circus goes on and on.

Despite these entire fracas, our President is busy landscaping and going on a ten-day Christmas holiday in Mfuwe.

Meanwhile, for most average Zambians, there is no more next pay. All I can say is, enjoy yourself and Merry Christmas, Mr President.


http://www.postzambia.com/content/view/3066/64/

Effects of losing employment
Written by Gady Mwamba Museka, Mazabuka
Wednesday, December 24, 2008 3:31:48 PM

One of the many challenges which we are facing currently of job losses must be given high priority by the government because a generation without hope of stable employment is a burden for all of society.

What the government must not forget is that unemployed citizens will have nothing to spend as consumers or to save and invest, which will hurt economies.

If people lose productive jobs that enable them to pay taxes and support public services, it will in turn affect the operations of the government.

The government needs to review existing regulations to make it easier to start and run enterprises because, currently in Zambia, the number of procedures for a business start-up and the delay in getting permission is certainly unnecessary, long and should be condensed.

The government must also facilitate business start-ups by creating easily accessible loans/grants and also providing information and guidance to help young men and women learn how business works.

Employment creation through private sector initiatives in the form of micro and small enterprises and cooperatives should, therefore, be the main focus of the government and ensure that the entrepreneurs are given support during the critical first years of their new business by transferring their knowledge and experience that can be done through mentoring, including them in their networks, providing nosy advice and training.

One of the strongest inspirations to encourage young women and men to become entrepreneurs is to ensure they easily access youth empowerment funds for their business ideas. They need space to try out their ideas, prove their talents and learn through experience before they enter the mainstream economy.

Youth empowerment funding must be seen as a characteristic instrument to help young people into employment.

However, this is Zambia for us where only few people who are related to the administrators of such funds end up benefiting! Who will change our living conditions from poverty to start living decently? I invite many people to comment and offer solutions!

Labels: JOBLOSSES, RUPIAH BANDA, UNEMPLOYMENT

posted by MrK @ 3:30 PM