Thursday, February 9, 2017 - 09:45
Clever ways to alleviate poverty needs to be found to boost employment creation in times of dire economic downturns facing not only Namibia but to a larger extent all countries on the African continent.
In this regard employment federations from all over Africa will gather in Walvis Bay to discuss issues of boosting employment creation, assisting the informal economy, poverty alleviation and sustainable development.
The summit meeting of representatives of employer organisations from east, central and southern Africa will take place from 14 to 15 February in Namibia’s main port city. About 40 senior officials representing employers’ organisations from as far as Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and Madagascar is scheduled to attend the summit.
The theme for this year’s summit is “Training for Development and Job creation especially for the Youth” and the group is set to discuss the important role of employment to ensure economic growth, youth empowerment, skills development, poverty alleviation, capacity building and sustainable development.
The discussions will focus on addressing social and economic issues and helping the private sector grow at regional level.
The conference will also focus on strengthening employers’ organisations by providing new and better service delivery to members and businesses.
The secretary general of the Namibian Employers Federation (NEF), Tim Parkhouse, said governor of Erongo Region, Cleophas Mutjavikua, mayor of Walvis Bay, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation, Bro-Matthew Shinguadja, representatives from the Ministry of Youth, the National Council as well as some prominent, young and successful business personalities will deliver presentations.
Also present will be senior specialists from the International Labour Organisation and the International Organisation of Employers from Geneva, Switzerland and from Business Africa.