By 
Vice President, Mutale Nalumango, has called for stronger collaboration between industry and training institutions to realign curricula with labour market demands and tackle informality.
Speaking at the African Regional Labour Administration Centre (ARLAC) Governing Council meeting in Chongwe on Thursday, Nalumango stressed the need for employers to invest in workforce development, adopt fair employment practices, and facilitate transitions to formal employment.
She noted that skills gaps were hindering economic growth, with many ARLAC member states struggling to source qualified personnel for available jobs.
“I urge our development partners and ARLAC to continue providing technical support and platforms for regional cooperation to address informal employment,” Nalumango said.
She highlighted that approximately 70 percent of the workforce operated in the informal sector without social protection, fair wages, or safe working conditions.
The Vice President also announced that Zambia was advancing pension reforms, with a bill set to be tabled in Parliament following Cabinet’s approval on January 30.
ARLAC Chairperson, Edgar Moyo, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to strengthening labour systems through training and partnerships with educational institutions to enhance workforce skills.
Meanwhile, International Labour Organization (ILO) Assistant Director-General for Africa, Funfan Kayirangwa, in a speech delivered on her behalf by ILO Country Director Wellington Chibebe, urged immediate action to address labour market pressures.
“We must innovate to tackle informality, create more and better jobs, and harness youth potential and technological advancements in response to climate change,” she said.
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.
Comments