Unemployment levels in the country now a risk factor to national security

Zimbabwe Unemployed People's association (ZUPA) which represents the interests of millions of economically disadvantaged people acknowledges challenges and difficulties facing our economy and government effort to create jobs. We call upon the government and national leaders to prioritize and do more to avoid total breakdown of the social order. Lack of employment or viable sources of income is forcing people to fend for themselves and their families, by any means necessary. We call for immediate, swift and aggressive action over the next months to achieve the 20-30 percent reduction in unemployment particularly amongst the youths.  In 2012, we proposed European Union (EU) to partner the government in setting up a $150 million unemployment benefit fund.  

ZUPA considers the resourcing of the proposed job fund to be of utmost importance for the recovery of Zimbabwe and the maintenance of social order. Our collective national conscience must be focused on jobs, and rightly so with other stake holders. The government must understand that our economy is in serious trouble. But rather than divert us from the task, the creating of a job fund could contribute to restoring our economic strength. Given that other opposition leaders are reckless and politicizing unemployment, the consequences will be immediate, devastating and far-reaching. – crippling potential economic impact to our very weak economy. The sad part of it is that they know this fact and they exploit it at will to further their political interest.

Unemployment level among the youths is one of the major problems the country is facing after 34 years of independence. It is imperative that the government take appropriate steps to find employment for its youths. We acknowledge that the country has made positive strides in various sectors of the economy-land, however the government must find a solution to the high unemployment levels among the youths in the country as this has a potential of becoming a threat to national security. It is a fact that a lot of unemployed young people are engaging in bad activities because of lack of employment. It is a fact that incidences of serious crime, devious tendencies and subculture is on the rise in our communities. We are aware that a number of developments have taken place in the country such as infrastructure development and investment in various sectors, but the problem of high unemployment levels among the youths continues.

The government should find a lasting solution to the unemployment levels among the youths and facilitate the creation of decent jobs for the youths in the country. The revival of the manufacturing sector is not a bad start as this could contribute to the creation of decent jobs for the youths in the country. We also want encourage Zimbabweans to be actively involved in the manufacturing sector, instead of leaving it to some Chinese investors who are exploitative and with no regard for local people. As ZUPA, we believe if the manufacturing sector is revived, it could create employment for young people and help reduce crime. In accordance with the indigenisation, Zimbabweans should not leave the manufacturing sector to the foreigners, but should also be involved in running these industries for the benefit of their communities and the country.

Despite corruption and lack of accountability, as an organisation, we are impressed that the mining, agriculture, tourism and other sectors were doing not so bad and needed to be supported and audited so that they could continue to contribute to the economic recovery and the agenda for national development. It is good that the government has embarked on infrastructure development where many roads are being constructed and rehabilitated to support the agriculture and tourism sectors. Without any doubt good road network is crucial to the development of the agriculture and tourism sectors. Take for instance the agriculture sector requires a good road infrastructure to transport inputs and produce from point A to B just like the tourism sector needs a good and safe road infrastructure to transport tourists from one place to the other.

We however do not support the increase of the number of toll gates and the fees expected from many of our people who are unemployed. The government must find alternative sources of funding.
 
thepresidiumzupa@yahoo.co.uk