Source: The Herald – Breaking news.
Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE will next week host the SADC Ministers of Employment and Labour and Social Partners meeting, whose discussions will centre on various employment and labour related issues in the region.
The meeting is also expected to discuss the signature and ratification status of the SADC Protocol on Employment and Labour; Declaration of the promotion of Decent Works and the Elimination of Forced Labour in the fisheries sector in the SADC region; and Development of the Revised Regional Technical and Vocational Education and Training.
Addressing a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said preparations were on course for the successful hosting of the meeting in Victoria Falls.
Zimbabwe is the current Chair of SADC.
“Cabinet received an update on the preparations for the meeting of Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ministers of Employment and Labour and Social Partners, which will be held from 24 to 28 March 2025, at Elephant Hills Hotel, in Victoria Falls, as presented by the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Honourable Edgar Moyo.
“The objective of the meeting is to enable the ministers of labour and employment and social partners in the SADC region to take stock of the implementation of Employment and Labour Sector Programmes, and to decide on issues of strategic relevance to the region.
“Cabinet assures the nation that preparations for the meeting are progressing well,” he said.
In a communiqué, the SADC Secretariat said a meeting of senior officials will be held before the ministerial meeting.
“The ministers will discuss various employment and labour related issues of importance to the SADC region.
“The meeting will be preceded by a meeting of Senior Officials responsible for employment and labour on the 24th-26th March 2025, who will be preparing documents for the Ministers’ meeting,” said SADC.
Last year’s meeting, held in Angola, noted that since adoption at Summit in 2023, the SADC Protocol on Employment and Labour had been signed by the Republics of Angola and Malawi and the Kingdom of Eswatini.
They committed to undertake national consultations with a view to sign and ratify the Protocol during the period up to 2025, noting that the instrument will go a long way in promoting decent work, underpinned by inclusive and productive employment, respect for rights at work, enhanced social security and strong labour market institutions.
Member States were urged to develop and intensify the implementation of National Employment Policies and other related strategies to increase employment opportunities and reduce labour underutilisation.
They were also encouraged to ensure effective implementation and monitoring and to produce labour statistics on a regular basis using the latest statistical standards and approved the SADC Labour Market Observatory (LMO) Data Master Plan for endorsement by the SADC Statistics Committee.
In addition, they directed the Secretariat to expedite the operationalisation of the SADC LMO.
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