Labour minister Utoni Nujoma, has called for urgent action to tackle the country’s persistent unemployment problem.
Speaking at the official launch of the development process of the third National Employment Policy of the Republic of Namibia yesterday in Windhoek, Nujoma stressed the need for a comprehensive and sustainable strategy to create job opportunities for the country’s growing population. With Namibia’s youth unemployment rate estimated to be around 50%, the government has identified job creation as a top priority and is now working on a new policy framework to guide its efforts in this area.
The upcoming 3NEP is set to be a game changer for Namibian workers, with a strong focus on youth employment and gender-responsive initiatives. Mandated to oversee employment creation in the country, the labour ministry is leading the development of the policy with support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
This groundbreaking policy is based on the recommendations of the second National Employment Policy evaluation report and will be part of a new generation of gender-responsive policies.
“The unemployment statistics, and in particular, youth unemployment, stand to have worsened significantly since the advent of the Covid-19 crisis of 2020-21. The utmost sense of urgency is needed to reverse this trend,” stated Nujoma.
The policy is set to prioritise youth employment, gender responsiveness, and sustainable job creation through demand-side stimulus. It will also leverage opportunities from the 4th Industrial Revolution and enhance resilience during crises.
“To ensure that the policy supports the goals and aspirations of all key stakeholders, including informal workers, youth, rural workers, and other vulnerable groups, extensive consultations will be held with employers’ and workers’ organisations, different line agencies and ministries, and other stakeholders at all levels. The ultimate aim is to create a consensus-based policy that addresses the challenges facing Namibia’s labour market,” stated Nujoma.
Nujoma said the policy is not just limited to the line ministry, but is a comprehensive policy for the entire Namibian government and society - to ensure the success of the policy, a steering committee comprising executive directors and a technical committee with strong representation from trade unions and employers’ organizations have been established.