Maravi

Poverty risks lives - Matale

Poverty risks lives - Matale
By Fridah Nkonde
Thu 31 May 2012, 13:25 CAT

THE Mpulungu job-search stampede speaks volumes about the state of poverty and desperation that Zambians are experiencing in order for them to survive, says Council of Churches in Zambia secretary general Reverend Suzanne Matale.

Commenting on the death of 11 job seekers in Mpulungu after a stampede on Monday, Rev Matale said what happened in Mpulungu was a very sad development which showed desperation by the people of Zambia.

"To say the truth, this is just a tip of an iceberg because there are other people around the country who are also involved in all kinds of dangerous activities just to earn themselves a living," Rev Matale said.

She said the Mpulungu job-seekers stampede showed the high levels of unemployment in the country.

Rev Matale said lack of employment in Zambia was not only increasing by the day but was also leading to high levels of poverty in the country.

"Poverty does not only force people to engage themselves in dangerous activities, but also compels them to risk their own lives," she said.

Rev Matale gave an example of the people on the Copperbelt who were involved in illegal mining "just to make sure that they survive and have something to eat every day".

She said those who were involved in illegal mining activities on the Copperbelt worked in deplorable state in an attempt to better their lives.

Rev Matale said there was need for the PF government to prioritise the creation of jobs to prevent a similar occurrence.

"It is very sad to see people dying in search of employment. Losing a life because of desperation and poverty is the last thing that we as Zambians would want to see. Government should honour their promise of creating employment and putting more money in people's pockets," said Rev Matale.

Youth and sport minister Chishimba Kambwili on Tuesday said he was shocked with the levels of desperation for employment in Zambia.
He said the government regretted the incident.

"…the problem is that we inherited a government where there had not been job creation for a long time and our people are suffering," Kambwili said.

He said the death of 11 people, among them two children, was a true reflection of the gravity of the unemployment crisis which he said must be dealt with urgently.

"We acknowledge as government that people are suffering and our role now as government is to work extra hard to create more employment," he said.

"It's unfortunate and I think as a government minister, I feel so bad that people can die because of searching for employment. It gives us a challenge as government to even work harder to create employment."

Kambwili said the PF government would in the coming months treat the issue of employment as top priority on its developmental agenda owing to the urgency of the matter.

Eleven job seekers died while six others were in critical condition in Mpulungu after a stampede on Monday.

The incident occurred when several people gathered at Great Lakes Products in Mpulungu after they learnt that the owner of the fishing company, Sahran Salim, was in town and would employ some casual workers.

The job seekers that had gathered by the premises grew impatient, overpowered the guard and stormed the premises around 07:30 hours.

It was during the ensuing stampede that nine people died while two others died the following day.

Salim, who is based in Kitwe usually travels to Mpulungu and during his stay, employs casual workers and the remuneration is considered impressive by locals as it comprises wages and foodstuffs.

Labels: CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, POVERTY, SUZANNE MATALE

posted by MrK @ 2:16 PM