Lack of information, statistics hamper efforts to create jobs

By Luke Anami

Lack of labour market information is hampering the creation of job opportunities for youth and women in the country, Alexio Musindo, Director International Labour Organization (ILO) has said.

Further, there are no statistics on the number of jobs created, making it difficult for donors and stakeholders to run employment creation programmes. Mr Musindo was speaking at a workshop to approve the national Action Plan of the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCPs) yesterday at a Nairobi hotel.

"The DWCP is expected to create more than 5, 000 jobs for the youth and women but there is no data to track the effects of the DWCPs," said Musindo.

Labour PS Beatrice Kituyi said the ministry is in the process of formulating policies that will address inadequacies in the programmes.

"The ministry is planning to put in place a labour management information system that will generate statistics required for planning," said Mrs Kituyi.

address the issue

The ministry has also reviewed the calendar for the implementation of the DWCPs, and a cabinet paper will be prepared to address the ILO job creation programme.

"The programme will ensure that at least 10,000 youth and women are employed," she said.

Currently, the DWCPs require funding to the tune of $10.5 million (Sh780 million).

The bulk of funding is sourced from the ILO and other donors.

Participants at the workshop called for the pushing of the DWCP action plan through the cabinet, in order to elicit Government support.