UNEMPLOYMENT AND RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT.
By Paida Mpaso
Delegates to the third Southern Africa Social Forum in Lilongwe included the participation of the unemployed from the region.
A group of over 20 unemployed people from the Southern Africa region participated in this forum under the labour cluster was held at Civo Stadium in Malawi.
It was pathetic and at the same time exciting to sit and listen to what members from other countries were going through in their respective countries.
It was observed that there was a link between crime and unemployment ccitting an example of in South Africa. The increase of unemployment figures is fueling crime, poverty and prostitution which are resulting in the spread of HIV/AIDS.
According to Siphiwe Dada, a researcher and organizer for National Union of Metal Workers in South Africa, unemployment in South Africa was 40% and this is equivalent to the rise of crime, poverty just to mention a few.
“The rate of unemployment is rising. This affects the country and so many things go wrong and the rate of crime also increases,” said Dada.
In Malawi the story was not quite the same with over half the population being unemployed in a country with high rate or illiteracy and over 65% of the population residing in the rural sector.
It was noted that most Malawians, especially those who are not well read, do not understand their rights especially in working places and as long as they have a little something to support their families with, life goes on and it doesn’t matter how low and standards.
On the other hand, Zimbabwe’s Nyikadzino Madzonga, a member of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions said rights for workers are not recognized in the region.
“It would not work to even start fighting for them. A country with its unemployment rate gone as far as 80% still has high hopes for Zimbabwe.
Because of this workers have lost their rights and according to Mukaka Nkolokosa, who is working for Save Workers and Retirees Association in Zambia, the Zambian labour law of employment act gives rights like to employment and getting terminal benefits which are not being recognized by investors.
Enlightening the workers about their rights and establishment of workers controlled union was one way of combating these problems
By Paida Mpaso
Delegates to the third Southern Africa Social Forum in Lilongwe included the participation of the unemployed from the region.
A group of over 20 unemployed people from the Southern Africa region participated in this forum under the labour cluster was held at Civo Stadium in Malawi.
It was pathetic and at the same time exciting to sit and listen to what members from other countries were going through in their respective countries.
It was observed that there was a link between crime and unemployment ccitting an example of in South Africa. The increase of unemployment figures is fueling crime, poverty and prostitution which are resulting in the spread of HIV/AIDS.
According to Siphiwe Dada, a researcher and organizer for National Union of Metal Workers in South Africa, unemployment in South Africa was 40% and this is equivalent to the rise of crime, poverty just to mention a few.
“The rate of unemployment is rising. This affects the country and so many things go wrong and the rate of crime also increases,” said Dada.
In Malawi the story was not quite the same with over half the population being unemployed in a country with high rate or illiteracy and over 65% of the population residing in the rural sector.
It was noted that most Malawians, especially those who are not well read, do not understand their rights especially in working places and as long as they have a little something to support their families with, life goes on and it doesn’t matter how low and standards.
On the other hand, Zimbabwe’s Nyikadzino Madzonga, a member of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions said rights for workers are not recognized in the region.
“It would not work to even start fighting for them. A country with its unemployment rate gone as far as 80% still has high hopes for Zimbabwe.
Because of this workers have lost their rights and according to Mukaka Nkolokosa, who is working for Save Workers and Retirees Association in Zambia, the Zambian labour law of employment act gives rights like to employment and getting terminal benefits which are not being recognized by investors.
Enlightening the workers about their rights and establishment of workers controlled union was one way of combating these problems
posted by Brenda Nglazi Zulu at 9:12 AM
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