Lubango - Angola, Malawi and Lesotho signed and will soon ratify the Protocol on Employment and Labor of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), during the meeting of Ministers of Employment and Labor of the Community and Social Partners that ended Wednesday in central Huíla.
The information was disclosed by the SADC executive secretary, Elias Magosi, underlining that it is "encouraging" to note that the three countries have taken the lead at the meeting.
He also encouraged other member states to sign and ratify the document, so that it can enter into force as soon as possible and benefit citizens.
According to Magosi, the existing protocols and agreements are recognized tools at regional level, important for pushing forward the integration agenda, developed by the members, whose process involves a lot of work.
The official explained that the speed with which the region moves forward in ratifying and signing the agreements can only make a difference between the members and achieving true integration.
However, he urged member states to avoid prolonging national dialogues on the subject, some of which take 10 to 15 years, calling for a speeded internal debate to implement the documents.
"The regions that are moving forward at high speed are those that take decisions and ratify instruments more quickly. We must also do this, based on the normative nature of the SADC labor sector, to allow for stability in the labor market, which is crucial for the social and global development of the region," Magosi said.
Elias Magosi stressed that unemployment and underemployment represent the most urgent and unavoidable challenge of the times, given that in some countries almost 50 percent of people looking for work are unable to find it.
SADC concerned about eliminating child labor
Elias Magosi said the elimination of child labor poses a serious concern, as the region is dominated by young people who make up almost three quarters of the population and the potential for development lies in this demographic group.
He defended the need to adopt "measurable" actions to invest in the development of children and young people in general.
Magosi stressed that the crucial part of this development requires the elimination of child labor, through the creation of opportunities for all children in the region to have access to education and finish their education, dealing with norms and culture that cause them to miss school.
"It is worrying to note that child labor, including its worst forms, exists in the region and the latest statistics show that accidents in this segment range from five to almost 32 percent," he said.
Magosi praised the member states that are implementing practical actions to eliminate child labor, especially through the implementation of the agreement on the SADC Code of Conduct on child labor.
He thanked the International Labor Organization (ILO)and International Organization for Migration (IOM) for their support, which effectively contributes to the progress of member states in implementing key programs, such as the Decent Work 2021-2025 program and the Labor Migration Action Plan 2020-2025. MS/MS/AMP
