Govt concerned about trade union members
The aim of the meeting was to consult with the different unions under the NUNW on how to better the economy and employment of the youth.
President Hage Geingob said he would like the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) to know that his administration is concerned about trade union members.
In a meeting with high ranking trade union officials at State House on Monday, Geingob said trade union members will be talking about wage increases on top of what they are already receiving, while there are young people who are unemployed.
“We want to hold hands. All of us. To look at how you can advise us to create jobs for those young people in the street,” said Geingob.
He also said the government would like to invite the private sector to see how they can employ the youth through apprenticeships, for the young people to get on-the-job training. The government would also would like universities to pair with industry, “so [that] you train for the job, not just for the sake of training”.
‘Crisis’
Geingob said Namibia “is definitely in a financial crisis, but is getting out of the woods”.
“I think by next year we should be doing very well,” said Geingob.
NUNW secretary-general (SG), Job Muniaro, said the only way to improve Namibia’s economy is through education.
“Education is crucial. There is no way that we can develop and change the status of this economy without education.”
Muniaro said the country’s education should speak to the curriculum demands of schools and universities, adding that it should be producing people that are “absorbable” by the market.
“If the market cannot absorb these people, then we will have thousands and millions of Namibians who are educated, but not contributing to the economy,” he stressed.
The SG further said Namibia’s indigenous skills are poor as the country exports its timber and then imports the final product.
“This furniture is manufactured by countries that are only using their indigenous skills. Why don’t we keep our timber and recognise our people who’ve got indigenous skills,” he asked. - Nampa
In a meeting with high ranking trade union officials at State House on Monday, Geingob said trade union members will be talking about wage increases on top of what they are already receiving, while there are young people who are unemployed.
“We want to hold hands. All of us. To look at how you can advise us to create jobs for those young people in the street,” said Geingob.
He also said the government would like to invite the private sector to see how they can employ the youth through apprenticeships, for the young people to get on-the-job training. The government would also would like universities to pair with industry, “so [that] you train for the job, not just for the sake of training”.
‘Crisis’
Geingob said Namibia “is definitely in a financial crisis, but is getting out of the woods”.
“I think by next year we should be doing very well,” said Geingob.
NUNW secretary-general (SG), Job Muniaro, said the only way to improve Namibia’s economy is through education.
“Education is crucial. There is no way that we can develop and change the status of this economy without education.”
Muniaro said the country’s education should speak to the curriculum demands of schools and universities, adding that it should be producing people that are “absorbable” by the market.
“If the market cannot absorb these people, then we will have thousands and millions of Namibians who are educated, but not contributing to the economy,” he stressed.
The SG further said Namibia’s indigenous skills are poor as the country exports its timber and then imports the final product.
“This furniture is manufactured by countries that are only using their indigenous skills. Why don’t we keep our timber and recognise our people who’ve got indigenous skills,” he asked. - Nampa
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