JCTR Calls For Immediate Implementation of The National Employment And Labour Market Policy

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) wishes to extend a strong encouragement to all stakeholders, especially government, to begin immediately implementing the National Employment and Labour Market Policy.Improvement in the livelihood of Zambian households depends not only upon how many new jobs are created, but on what type of jobs are created and who the main beneficiaries are. The JCTR particularly agrees with the policy’s strong focus on support of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). However, the JCTR expresses concern that the strategies within the newly launched National Employment and Labour Market Policy may not be prioritised within key planning frameworks such as the 2006 National Budget, the Fifth National Development Plan and the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for 2006-2008.