LILONGWE--The final draft of the National Employment and Labour Policy which seeks to address labour market failures and stimulate private sector investment will be ready before the end of this year.

Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Labour, James Kalilangwe, made the disclosure Wednesday when he opened a stakeholders’ validation meeting on the policy in Lilongwe.

Once adopted, he said, the policy will enhance productivity and employment opportunities.

Kalilangwe said the national labour policy lies within the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy which advocates for sustainable economic growth. He said from the time the International Labour Organization (ILO) requested for the implementation of the policy, there had been a series of consultations to identify key constraints on employment growth in Malawi.

He said he was happy with progress made on the policy.

“Following the wide consultations that we have had with different stakeholders in determining the prime areas of actions, I am pleased to inform you that the final draft is ready and once this meeting endorses it, we shall take it to the Office of the President and Cabinet for approval,” Kalilangwe said while commending the ILO for being great partners in the exercise.

Chief Labour Officer Wafwile Musukwa told Malawi News Agency said growth in employment would help in poverty reduction.

“The labour policy also addresses issues of agriculture because agriculture provides employment to the largest population and contributes heavily towards the development of the country. Additionally, the policy also considers the youth employment as they are in majority,” said Musukwa.

Mohammed Gassama, International Labour Organization Representative, encouraged the private sector to hire more, arguing that government alone couldn’t employ all people.
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©2012 The Maravi Post. Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment.