CHUMA

By DELPHINE ZULU-
THE International Labour Organisation (ILO) will mobilise resources to help Zambia create more decent jobs for youths and women, regional director for Africa Aeneas Chuma has said.
Dr Chuma said Zambia was not expected to eradicate poverty if it did not come up with decent jobs for most vulnerable groups in society as well as initiating new ones, especially in the mines, which was the driver of the economy.
He said when he paid a courtesy call on Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda yesterday that the nation needed to initiate and create more decent jobs, especially in other sectors like green jobs and in the mining industry.
“As ILO we will mobilise resources as one way of helping Zambia and other signatories in order to help them create decent jobs,” Dr Chuma said.
“We are planning to initiate green jobs for youths and women who are highly affected by uneployment levels.”
He said his organisation valued Zambia’s efforts in trying to come up with decent jobs in the country and pledged its full support in ensuring that the process to transform the 12 pieces of legislation was completed within a stipulated time.
Dr Chuma said the ILO would ensure that the relationship between Zambia and his organisation was strengthened because the country had showed interest in valuing labour laws and wanting to protect its employees.
And Mr Shamenda applauded ILO for its continued efforts in assisting Zambia to transform the 12 pieces of legislation into five.
The minister said the productivity centre, which is in the process of being established, would see many employers adhere to labour laws and enhance decent jobs in the country.
Mr Shamenda said the process to transform the 12 pieces of legislation had advanced as the draft had already been submitted and would soon be handed over to Cabinet, and was hopeful that by December the draft would be before Parliament.
“The decent work agenda and history of ILO assisting this country is deep-rooted,” Mr Shamenda said.
“We are hopeful that the draft of the revised five pieces of legislation is near completion and we want to submit it to Cabinet soon and by December, it should be submitted before Parliament.”
Mr Shamenda said the new legislation would see reduction in cases of casualisation and warned all those perpetrating the vice to desist. He  said  it was not normal for anyone to work for 15 years on a casual basis.