AU calls for strengthened Labour Market Information systems

0
African Union

The African Union (AU) Commission has called upon Labour and employment Ministers, professionals and social partner organisations to strengthen Labour Market Information systems.

Labour and Social Security Permanent Secretary Trevor Kaunda says a strengthened Labour Market Information System will enable African Member States to come up with appropriate policies to overcome challenges in the Labour market

He was speaking in an interview with ZANIS during the 9th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Labour and Social Affairs Commission (LSAC) in Ethiopia today.

Mr. Kaunda said the objective of the conference was to provide a platform for Ministers and Social Partners to share experiences and ongoing programme activities on Labour and employment in Africa as well as best practices in social dialogue.

He said the meeting was organized on a tripartite basis where government, employers and workers are represented.

The Labour Permanent Secretary also said other issues to be tabled during the meeting include youth unemployment and social protection issues.

The Conference whose theme is ‘Enhancing the capacity of the Labour Market Institutions in Africa to meet the current and Future Challenges’,  started yesterday and is expected to end on the 12th of April, 2013.

Participants attending the Labour conference include Ministers and experts from AU Member States, Social Partner Organisations, Representatives of Regional Economic communities and Labour and Employment Professional Organisations.

The AU Labour and Social Affairs Commission is convened every two years and is organized on a tripartite principle basis which provides a policy forum to Governmental Authorities, and Representatives of Workers and Employers Organisation.

Zambia is being represented by Zambia Employers Association Executive Director Harrison Chibanda, Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) President Leonard Hikaumba and Federation of Free Trade Unions in Zambia (FTTUZ) representative Lyson Mando.

Labour and Social Security Minister Fackson Shamenda is also expected to join the team tomorrow in preparation for the Ministerial Meeting which falls on the 11th of April.

Zambia is  among many African countries grappling with the burden of youth unemployment.

Government through such meetings is trying hard to reduce this burden through learning and sharing of experience with other African Member States.

NO COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY