Over 7,500 youths get overseas employment

DODOMA: OVER 7,500 youths have secured employment opportunities abroad through agreements signed between the government and various countries, the National Assembly was told yesterday, as the state intensifies efforts to tackle unemployment and expand economic opportunities for young people.

Minister of State in the President’s Office (Youth Development), Dr Joel Nanauka, said the government is working with the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations to coordinate overseas employment opportunities while ensuring recruitment procedures are properly regulated and monitored.

“Through the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, several agreements have been signed between the government and different countries, and so far about 7,593 young people have secured jobs in various nations,” he told the National Assembly.

Dr Nanauka said this while responding to a supplementary question by Latifa Juwakali (Special Seats–CCM), who sought clarification on how the government is collaborating with labour authorities to identify, advertise and safeguard overseas employment opportunities for Tanzanian youths.

In response, Dr Nanauka said the government is collectively working to fulfil the ruling party’s commitment of creating about 8 million jobs for youths over the next five years, including opportunities outside the country.

He acknowledged concerns raised by some youths regarding overseas recruitment procedures, but stressed that the government enters into labour agreements through Tanzanian embassies and remains the custodian of all labour contracts processed through private recruitment agencies registered by the state.

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“In February this year, more than 148 recruitment agencies held discussions with the government to ensure that young people follow the correct procedures when seeking overseas employment opportunities,” he stressed.

Dr Nanauka further said that youths selected for overseas jobs are provided with training before departure to help them cope with challenges they may encounter while working abroad.

Meanwhile, the minister said the government was continuing to implement broader youth empowerment strategies aimed at increasing employment and self-employment opportunities through improved investment and business environment, development projects and access to affordable financing.

He noted that young people continue to benefit from the Youth Development Fund, the four per cent allocation from local government revenues and the 10 per cent public procurement opportunities reserved for youths through the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA).

“These initiatives have continued to improve access to capital, employment and economic opportunities for young people across the country,” he said.

In another supplementary question, Johnston Mutasingwa (Bukoba Urban-CCM) asked whether the government has a special plan to support selfemployed youths, particularly garage operators, by allocating designated working areas and enabling them to qualify for government loans.

Dr Nanauka said the government was continuing with efforts to formalise youth-led businesses to make it easier for young entrepreneurs to access opportunities created by the state.

“So far, through a formalisation programme implemented by VETA (Vocational Education Training Authority), the government aims to formalise 14,400 youths this year alone, including beneficiaries from your constituency,” he said.

He added that through the Prime Minister’s Office–Regional Administration and Local Government (PMORALG), arrangements are also being made to establish official working spaces for youths to enable them operate their businesses efficiently without harassment.