SADC urged to adopt labour-intensive policies to tackle unemployment

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare, Edgar Moyo, has called on Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states to formulate National Employment Policies that prioritise decent work as a driver of development.

Speaking in Victoria Falls Town on Friday during the SADC Meeting for Ministers of Employment and Labour and Social Partners, Moyo emphasized the need for labour-intensive strategies to address unemployment.

He also urged countries to promote key economic sectors such as mining and agriculture to stimulate growth.

According to a statement by Zambia’s Ministry of Labour and Social Security Principal Public Relations Officer, Mwaka Ndawa, the meeting recognised Zambia for its progress in improving workers’ welfare through evidence-based labour policies.

“Zambia gained approval from the International Labour Organization (ILO) for formulating and ratifying worker-friendly policies,” Ndawa said.

Among the eight prioritised ILO instruments signed and ratified by Zambia, the ILO Convention C190—ratified on December 13, 2024—was highlighted for its role in protecting workers from violence and harassment in the workplace.

Other ratified conventions included C122, C129, C151, C155, and C187, with only two yet to be signed.

ILO Director of the Decent Work Team for East and Southern Africa, Alexio Musindo, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting SADC countries in strengthening labour standards through capacity building.

Meanwhile, SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration, Angele N’tumba, urged member states to enhance graduates’ employability by aligning educational curricula with labour market demands.

Zambia’s Minister of Labour and Social Security, Brenda Mwika Tambatamba, informed the meeting that the country was actively collaborating with the private sector to create youth employment through the Public-Private Dialogue Forum (PPDF).

She further called on the SADC Secretariat to ensure technical support for member states in building resilient and sustainable economies.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.