Levels of unemployment worries youths

By Staff Reporter, NDOLA 

The launch of the 2015 National Youth Policy by the Republican President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu was indeed a momentous and historic occasion for the youth of Zambia. It was the first time that a youth policy was being accompanied by an action plan for youth empowerment and employment. 

However, a good number of youths across the country have continued to complain that there are no jobs in Zambia. Statistics indicate that unemployment rate in Zambia increased to 13.30 percent in 2014 from 13.10 percent in 2013. 

And according to 'Trading Economics' in Zambia, “unemployment rate in Zambia averaged 14.44 percent from 1986 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 19.70 percent in 1993 and a record low of 12 percent in 1998.” 

Among other unemployed youths, Anthony Mushili, says he has been applying but never get called for a job or atleast an interview. 

 “Yesterday I went in town to look for employment in the industrial area, either as a fireman or safety officer. I went back home disappointed. I have been sending a countless application letters through post office and email, only a few responses like the one from Office of the President (OP) last year,” he says. 

Mr Mushili adds that yesterday he decided to hunt for a job in person. 

“So yesterday I decided to job hunt in person. Surprisingly, I was either chased from the gate or at the reception. Those at the reception/gate have been instructed not to allow anyone to look for a job in person but must only leave application letters. They were so tough, even after explaining to them that I just wanted to find out from the personnel department if people in my profession ever get chance to work there, so I don't waste money applying,” he explains, adding that this idea of denying each other information regarding jobs is bad, people in jobs have become gods in companies, even security guards.  

He says he visited Dulux, Plascon,Trade Kings etc to name just a few. 

And another youth, Chewe Imfumu insinuates that the labour market environment in Zambia is hostile.  

“Its not that we want fast things, the world has become totally weird and corruption is just too much. That's why Zambia is just becoming more and more wicked because we have schooled and educated individuals doing less or nothing. when am trained ofcourse I need to find a job, what else can I wait for? but it is surprising that job seekers are being told that there are your friends who completed 7 years ago and are yet looking for employment, so why are you in a hurry because you graduated last year. bad answers!” he explains. 

Meanwhile Khloe Kalenga, a youth as well says he has been hunting for a job since 2013 and he has now given up. “Am tired of Job hunting, am now convinced that God has washed his hands on my case. Since 2013 I've been hunting for a job but nothing comes up. Awe, I surrender,” he says. 

This week, United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema stated that UPND plan for youths starts with job creation. 

“We are going to both create demand for workers by breathing new life into the economy and we are going to invest in our people so that we educate and empower young Zambians to find work or start out in business,” he said. 

And not long ago, Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development Vincent Mwale called for the provision of entrepreneurship skills and startup capital to youths to create employment and wealth. This was contained in a statement issued by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations, Permanent Mission of Zambia to the United Nations(UN) Chibaula Silwamba. 

The minister was addressing African youths during the breakout session on “key regional priorities for youth development in Sub-Saharan Africa” during the just-concluded United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum 2016 in New York, USA.