Govt commits to attain 8 million jobs target

THE government is taking various steps to ensure that it attains its target of creating 8 million jobs come
2025, including, ensuring smooth coordination of overseas jobs.

The Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office Labour, Youth, employment and Persons
with Disabilities Prof Jamal Katundu revealed this yesterday during a ceremony to bid farewell to
50 Tanzanians who have secured jobs in Saudi Arabia.

The 50 youths are part of 408 Tanzanians who have secured jobs in Saudi Arabian based Almarai
Company through a recruitment agency- Bravo Job Centre Agency Limited.

“My office is responsible for creating 8 million jobs by 2025 as directed in the Chama Cha Mapinduzi Election Manifesto…all these efforts being undertaken is a continuation of the government commitment to attain the plan,” he said.

He noted that currently the government is finalizing the national strategy for generating employment opportunities in the country, noting that “one of the areas which will contribute to the attainment of the target is overseas  employments,”.

Prof Katundu noted that the government is currently holding talks with seven embassies to see
the possibilities of signing bilateral agreements on how they can coordinate overseas employment
opportunities.
He further explained that the government decision to suspend job agency operations in the country was meant to ensure safety and rights of Tanzanians who went to work abroad.

“We have resolved all challenges which led to the suspension of job agencies operations, that is why on December 31 last year President Samia Suluhu Hassan uplifted the ban and directed the
guideline prepared for coordinating overseas jobs to be made public,” he said.

He noted that one of the issues which had challenges was to ensure that Tanzanians who work
abroad are protected.

Prof Katundu said that the guideline restricts any Tanzanian to go and work abroad if he has not been recruited by an agency, if there are no arrangements which have been done by the employer or having received a work permit from Tanzania Employment Services Agency (TaESA).

He added that youths who are leaving for Saudi Arabia have met all the requirements and their safety and welfare are guaranteed.
Prof Katundu called upon the youths to be good ambassadors of their country by working hard and
abide by Saudi Arabia’s laws.

Director of the Department of Middle East in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Hemed Mgaza commended Bravo Company for assisting such youths to secure jobs in Saudi Arabia.

“The government understands the importance of employment to its people, but due to the limited opportunities, the good diplomatic relations between Tanzania and other countries have enabled its nationals to secure overseas jobs,” he said.

He said that besides working, the youth will also have an opportunity to learn various skills which will also contribute to the growth of the country’s economy.
Ambassador Mgaza called upon Tanzanians to grab employment opportunities arising in other
countries in order to fight unemployment and promote economic
growth.

Deputy Chief of Mission at the Saudi Arabia Embassy, Mr Fahad Alharbi said that his country will continue to cooperate with the government to enable more Tanzanians to benefit from various opportunities arising from his country