ZNCC warn against compulsory hiring of National Youth Service graduates

The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) has rejected proposals to compel companies to employ graduates of the National Youth Service programme, warning that mandatory recruitment could undermine productivity and reduce business competitiveness.

In its submission to government, the business lobby group said employers should retain the autonomy to hire workers based on skills, performance and operational needs, rather than being forced to absorb trainees.

"Businesses must recruit based on skills and performance requirements," the ZNCC said.

It warned that enforced placements could create mismatches between job requirements and employee capabilities, ultimately weakening both company efficiency and the credibility of the youth empowerment programme.

The proposal comes as government continues efforts to expand youth empowerment initiatives aimed at addressing unemployment among young people, who make up a significant portion of Zimbabwe's population.

The chamber acknowledged the importance of youth development but argued that compulsory hiring could place additional strain on businesses already facing high operating costs, limited access to foreign currency and subdued demand.

Instead, the ZNCC urged government to adopt voluntary participation models supported by incentives such as tax relief, training subsidies and structured apprenticeships aligned with industry needs.

"International models such as Germany and Singapore show that success comes from demand-driven training … not compulsion," the chamber said.

It added that youth empowerment programmes should strengthen rather than constrain productivity.

Economic commentator Professor Tony Hawkins of the University of Zimbabwe also dismissed the proposal as impractical, arguing that it would be difficult to enforce in a modern labour market.

He said forcing employers to hire based on training records was unrealistic and reflected deeper structural challenges in the education and skills development system.

The debate highlights ongoing tensions between government-led employment creation initiatives and private sector concerns over labour flexibility and economic efficiency, as Zimbabwe continues to grapple with high youth unemployment.