Maravi

JCTR calls on govt to create decent employment

JCTR calls on govt to create decent employment
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe and Moses Kuwema in Lusaka
Sun 12 Feb. 2012, 11:50 CAT

THE government must address major issues that are an obstacle to strengthening the link between economic growth and poverty reduction through decent employment, says JCTR.

In a statement, Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflections (JCTR) social conditions programme manager Munyongo Lumba stated that decent work was a global agenda that denotes that the well-being of a person depends on work. Lumba stated that decent employment was an escape route out of poverty for Zambians.

She said poverty and economic inequality have pervaded the Zambian population despite continued economic growth of the country.

Lumba stated that according to the Living Conditions Monitoring Survey Report for Zambia, released in December 2011 by the Central Statistical Office, Zambia had one of the highest inequality indices in Sub-Saharan Africa at 50 per cent showing a wide divide between the rich and poor.

She said the report went further to show that in an economy comprising over five million people of working age, the percentage of those actively contributing to national development has declined from 65 per cent in 2006 to 62 per cent in 2010.

"Job creation is a clear avenue for the poor to participate meaningfully in the economy as labour is their main asset. Creating job opportunities must go in tandem with upholding of workers' rights as enshrined in national policies that promote the decent work agenda," Lumba stated.

She stated that one of the major causes of poverty in the country was the inability of work to provide decent levels of income resulting in people who work being unable to meet their basic needs.

Lumba stated that the JCTR Basic Needs Basket Survey showed that a family of six needed more than K2,968,280 to get through the month of January with food and essential non-food items costing K855,880 and K2,112,400 respectively.

She stated that BNB analysis showed a rise in cost of mainly food items alongside a rise in cost of charcoal, a major source of household fuel for the poor.

"Although government has shown commitment to the decent work agenda through identification of employment creation as a priority, more needs to be done to sustain the momentum. Workers must be paid wages that allow them to meet their basic needs, enabling them to become active participants in national development," she stated.

Lumba stated that enforcement of labour legislation by employers who include investors should be strengthened by designated institutions.

She said economic growth was meaningless if Zambians could not access the benefits of development through a real improvement in living conditions through better incomes, which in turn would enable them access social facilities including health, housing and education.

Labels: JCTR, JOBS, LABOUR

posted by MrK @ 8:46 PM