Focus On Youth Employment Vital For Malawi- ILO

The new International Labour Organisation (ILO) country director responsible for Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia has says Youth Employment will be his one of the priority areas of focus for Malawi.

Mr. Alexio Mushindo the new ILO director for the three countries, currently in Malawi for talks with number of partners and Government officials has been introduced at a press conference in Lilongwe jointly held with the Minister of Labour and Manpower development Hon. Henry Mussa.

"As an organization, we have priorities to take care. Just looking at the situation in Malawi so far from my readings which is similar to number of African countries, I will put the priority around youth employment. Employment in general that has a special focus on young people" said Mushindo

He explained; "We all know that young people are both potential for increased productivity as they participate in economic development,  at the same time, once their incomes are increased there is increased opportunities for them to consume and invest. Again contribute further to economic growth."

Mushindo then assured "Youth Employment is something that we will support and we will pursue as organization"

However, Mushindo said the first state of priorities that he is focusing on, are driven by discussions that he is holding during the course of this week and the discussions that he already had with Labour minister.

Mushindo

He said from such discussions ILO wants to know the needs from its partners and then align them with ILO thematic areas and establish priority areas that it needs to focus on.

He indicated that ILO will further encourage Social Dialogue between partners for a better working environment noting that unresolved labour disputes are detrimental to a country's productivity and the economic performance.

He also mentioned that Social Protection and Social Security is another priority for ILO in Malawi. This he said follows discussions he had in Geneva with Malawi's Labour Minister who asked ILO to increase its focus on addressing the challenges on informal economy.

The new ILO country director emphasized that the organization will be looking at gender aspects in all the priorities of addressing youth employment, social protection, dialogue and needs.

In Malawi ILO is among others; supporting Government in areas of HIV/AIDS by working with people affected and infected by HIV/AIDS through economic empowerment, elimination of Child Labour in Tobacco growing areas and ensure that children have access to education and skills for employability as well as promotion of employment creation.

Malawi Govt To Establish Employment Bureau

Malawi Government set to establish Labour Employment Bureau says Minister of Labour and Manpower Development

Hon. Henry Mussa told journalists in Lilongwe that Government would like to end burden that people are facing when searching for employment, as well, to enable employers have information of number of qualified people they look for.

He said Malawi is to establish the office with support of International Labour Organisation (ILO) and offices will be in each and every district.

Mussa was speaking in Lilongwe when introducing the new Country Director for International Labour Organisation responsible for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique Mr. Alexio Mushindo.

"He came to get our priority list, one of which is establishment of Labour Employment Bureaus." He said

"We are going to have system data that the job seeker, by the touch of a button is able to know which companies are looking for what skills. Equally the employers should be able to get information as to how many of qualified people are looking for employment."

The Minister added that government is preparing for infrastructure, hiring of district labour officers and equipment for the offices.

Mussa emphasized that the Labour Employment Bureau is one of the key area which Malawi has asked ILO to assist because government wants to enable people look and find jobs in their district of residents without necessarily travel to towns or another region to look for jobs.

Ntchisi Woman Die in Collapsed Clay Soil Mine

A 52 year old woman has died in a tragic accident in Ntchisi district when upper cavity walls of clay soil tunnel she was in collapsed.

Ntchisi District Police Public Relations Officer,  Sergeant Gladson M'bumpha said the deceased identified as Mary Batson Mwale, was buried inside canal when trying to mine clay soil which she wanted to decorate her house.

"Police investigations indicate that on Monday July 27 2015 at around 4pm, the deceased in a company of two other women went to collect soil
for smearing their houses.
As the deceased was digging the soil in the mine, the upper cavity of the wall of the mine collapsed and fell over her and died on the spot." Said M'bumpha

Sergeant M'bumpha indicated that clinical officer from Ntchisi District Hospital confirmed that the death was due to internal bleeding.

The incident that killed Mary Batson Mwale on Monday 27th July,  2015 happened at Chinguwo village in the area of Traditional Authority Kalumo in Ntchisi

Sergeant M'bumpha said the deceased was from Nkhwindima village in the area of Traditional Authority Kalumo in Ntchisi.

Similarly incident has occured on 16th this month where a woman lost life in Dowa district while two others were admitted at Dowa District Hospital when the upper cavity of a tunnel they were in to extract clay soil collapsed and fell on them.

Sergeant Richard Kaponda,  Dowa Police Public Relations Officer identified the deceased as Namatochi Isaac aged 62 of Mwaza village  from T/A Chiwere in Dowa district.

He said these women were in a village competition involving prize money to the best house decorator. He said the incident took place at Bimphi village T/A Chiwere  and were trapped in a cave along Chigodi river where the deceased died on sport due to head injuries.

Edwin Mauluka Today understands that the Dowa incident is the third in the district in a period of two years following two separate incidences last year.  In one incident that occurred in April 2014,  three women died and one was left with sustained serious injuries.

However Sergeant Kaponda says such incidences are happening in the same area despite several warnings from the chiefs and police.

Malawi To Open Embassy in Geneva

Malawi Government ready to open Embassy in Geneva, Switzerland to tap into number of opportunities from international institutions headquartered there.

Minister of Labour and Manpower Development Hon Henry Mussa announced the on Wednesday in the Capital, City Lilongwe that this follows President Peter Mutharika directive that there has to be permanent office in Geneva, Switzerland.

"It pleased His Excellency the President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika to direct that there be the Embassy in Geneva" announced Mussa at a news conference

He said Malawi for long time has missed opportunities for not having office in Geneva, home to United Nations and other international institutions. He therefore expressed optimism that Malawi is to benefit from such a development.

"This is a very exciting development because all the UN Agencies are in Geneva including UN Head quarters. There are a lot of benefits that Malawi stands to benefit. Good example is the International Labour Organisation (ILO) we will definitely be having an officer full time to deal with issues support into the labour services"

Mussa said the High Commissioner has already been identified through interviews made by Public Appointment Committee of Parliament

"Once all the processes are over then we shall be heavily represented where some of the good opportunities that we have been missing over the year's will be a thing of the past" added Mussa

Access to Information Bill Ready for Parliament

Much anticipated ‘Access to Information Bill’ ready for the upcoming Meeting of Parliament.

Justin Saidi

Principle Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Tourism and Culture, Justin Saidi revealed this during the Catholic Church’s commemorations for the Communication Day at Mtima Woyera Parish in the Arch Diocese of Lilongwe.

“Well, we have gone through all the process that are supposed to be followed and what remain is simply taking it to the upcoming Meeting of Parliament” said Saidi

Saidi who attended this year’s Communication Day as a guest of honor at Mtima Woyera Parish was responding to the call made by General Secretary for Episcopal Conference of Malawi Fr. Henry Saindi who asked government to speed the process for the enactment of bill into law to help Journalists easily access to Government information.

Fr. Henry Saindi

“In any country that this has been approved as a law, it is a useful tool for those who are working as Journalists because then, they have possibility of accessing important information that can also help in the development of the country; but without sweating for this information or without having to do as if they are begging for this information.” Said Fr. Saindi

Currently in Malawi he said “those who have the information which has to be disseminated to people at times they don’t serve Journalists.”

“Access to Information Bill if it is turned into a Law, will help the Journalists to access information which they require in order to disseminate to the entire nation. So it is an important tool"

There Is No Justifiable Grounds for Abortion Maintains Catholic Church in Malawi

Catholic Bishop Arch Bishop Ziyaye and Priests 

The Catholic Church teachings on abortion are not shaken even with the recent announced proposed grounds for legal abortion,  are unacceptable in the Church.

The Church has publicly announced its stance on the issue few weeks after pronouncement of findings and recommendations by the Special Law Commission on the Review on Abortion Law.

Secretary General for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) Fr. Henry Saindi in his speech during commemorations for the Communication Day at Mtima Woyera Parish in the Arch Diocese of Lilongwe, said the Catholic Church stance on abortion will never change adding that Malawi Catholic Bishops will continue to uphold the church teaching on abortion.

The Special Law Commission on review on Abortion Law, findings and recommendations states that, termination of pregnancy be performed only for certain justifiable instances through an operation.

Recommendations propose that termination of pregnancy be done ‘only’ to save the life of pregnant woman, or if there is malformation of the foetus which will affect its viability or compatibility with life as well as where the pregnancy is as a result of rape, incest or defilement.

Fr. Saindi delivering speech

“Catholic Church already addressed this issue.” Said Fr. Saindi to the congregation “The position of the church has never changed and it will never change”

Fr. Saindi stated that issue of legalizing abortion has come in different way now as recommendations by the Special Commission allows termination of pregnancy for ‘only’ justifiable instances. However, he said nothing is “new” because the same issue was addressed in 2013 Catholic Bishops Pastoral Letter in which they tackled issues concerning Homosexuality and legalizing Abortion.

Fr. Henry Saindi

“Abortion in these instances cannot be tolerated or permitted by the Catholic Church.” He said and emphasized that “The position of the church is that Abortion is the killing the unborn child because we know that the life of a person begins when a child is conceived.”

“The unborn child has a right to live and must always be protected by the society.” Continued Fr. Saindi

He then explained that the Catholic Church on abortion advocates and always emphasize the role counseling of women and girls found in a situation of terminating pregnancy.

“For example those who have been raped and found to be pregnant, they have to be counseled, they have to be helped to accept their situation and the gift that God has given to them.”

Fastjet Flight Between Lilongwe-Dar es Salaam Begins

A newly licensed airline operator Fastjet launches flight route between Dar es Salaam and Lilongwe, twice a week.

Fastjet Airbus A 319 Aircraft with a capacity of 148 economy class seats had its first landing at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) on Monday morning from Dar es Salaam. 

The jet which carried about 50 passengers flown back to Dar es Salaam with over 100 passengers.

Jimmy Kibati interacting with Kasaila 

Fastjet General Manager for East Africa, Jimmy Kibati has promised customers from the two destinations; affordable, reliable and safety service. 

“We focus on reliability, safety and one of the biggest offer we are giving to our customer is affordability” said Kibati 

“We are extremely reliable. Our punctuality is at 90 percent on average” he said adding “We Were ranked a fast and cheapest airline in Africa and fifth cheapest airline in the world.”

Fastjet Captain and air hostesses 

Said Kibati; “Yes we are a low cost airline but, we are not a cheap airline in terms of products offer. We have got a high end aircraft type which is very spacey even the seat pitch gives comfort.” 

Kibati indicated that Fastjet is targeting fast time travelers, people who go by road and those in tourism markets. He therefore hoped that good number of Malawians and Tanzanians traders who travel by road in these two countries will be its customers.

Jimmy Kibati landing at KIA

In terms of expanding its destination in Malawi, he said the company eyes Blantyre as the next destination by December with daily flights as minimum. He also said they are looking for Eastern and Southern Africa routes that are within or below 3 hour flight range.

Welcoming the Jet in style

Minister of Transport and Public Works Hon. Francis Kasaila who was present at the launch said Malawi is pleased that Fastjet airline a Tanzanian registered low cost airline “seem to be here to respond to the calls for affordable air travel in the region”

Kasaila observed that, due to high fares, air travel has been associated with the rich and that a lot of people in the region opt to use ground transport.

“This is a very welcome development, we believe that the civil aviation sector has a big role to play if we are to improve economically as a country because when you are using the sector you are able to manage time very well and in so doing you are able to economically runaround than using the road sector” said Kasaila

The Transport Minister also said Malawi is looking forward to have more operators who offer direct flights to international destinations in order to significantly reduce the airfares.

Malawi government issued Foreign Air Operations Certificate to Fastjet on 23rd June 2015. But Kasaila also indicated that government will further facilitate services on the route by embarking on renewing the Bilateral Air Service Agreement between Malawi and Tanzania to ensure conducive environment for the operators and proper regulatory regime. 

Reforms in Aviation Sector

“We as a Ministry we expressed interest to engage some of the airlines operators but we still have some few  challenges that we need to sort out. Last sitting of parliament   there was a bill towards improvement of services in civil aviation. That is very key. Because big airlines they need to be assured of safety of their equipments and people that are travelling.” said Kasaila 

“Therefore government has to make sure that services that are being provided at our two international airports are upgraded to standard which will give confidence to the operators. We believe that come next year we should be able to move towards that and in so doing we may be able to attract other airlines” he assured 

Fastjet has been given two flights per week due to Malawi shortfalls on services on International Airports and the requirements of International Civil Aviation. As government work towards improving airport services complete, government says will give them more frequencies.