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UMUZ backs Sata's call for permanent jobs

UMUZ backs Sata's call for permanent jobs
By Isaac Zulu in Kapiri Mposhi
Thu 05 July 2012, 13:23 CAT

UNITED Mineworkers Union of Zambia general secretary Wisdom Ngwira has supported President Michael Sata's position on creating permanent employment opportunities in the country.

In an interview, Ngwira said there was too much casualisation in Zambia, including in the mining sector. He said President Sata's pledge to create decent and permanent employment for the citizens should be supported by all well-meaning Zambians.

"The President's position on this matter is a welcome one. President Michael Sata's desire to create decent, permanent and probably pensionable employment should be supported by all well-meaning Zambians," Ngwira said.

"There's been too much casualisation in our country in all sectors of the economy, and the mining sector is no exception. Therefore, as UMUZ we are very impressed with the PF government policy on the need to create permanent jobs for the people. We shall rally behind this PF whose policy is about creating permanent formal employment opportunities."

He said the government should be given time to engage genuine investors and, subsequently, address the problem of high unemployment levels in the country.

"Rome was not built in a day. It took Italians some time to build Rome. Some concerned stakeholders should give President Michael Sata and his PF government time to woo and engage genuine investors. That will ultimately see the PF addressing the challenge of high unemployment levels in the country," Ngwira said.

"At the moment, there are minimal job opportunities in Zambia and this is the major cause of casualization in Zambia."

He said having genuine investors in sectors such as agriculture and mining could create long-term employment opportunities for Zambians.

"…We shall see youths being employed. And this will translate into the PF government's policy people 'having more money in their pockets'. I can only ask the stakeholders to exercise patience with His Excellency President Michael Sata on his desire to create decent jobs for Zambians," said Ngwira.

Labels: CASUALISATION, JOBS, MICHAEL SATA

posted by MrK @ 7:58 PM