The ILO Head for Africa meets President Guebuza of Mozambique

Mr. Aeneas Chuma, ILO Regional Director for Africa paid an official working visit to Maputo, Mozambique from 15 to 17 May 2014 to meet President Armando Guebuza and strengthen the cooperation between the International Labour Organisation and the Southern-African country.

During the meeting, President Guebuza and the ILO Assistant Director-General discussed best strategies to tackle the employment challenges as well as the areas of cooperation with ILO. Social protection, diversification of economies, agriculture, more and better jobs in the extractive industries, capacity building and the country’s development strategies were also discussed in detail to increase productivity in Mozambique.

Despite an extremely young population, Mozambique has experienced a “jobless growth”, with the labour market offering limited job opportunities. The economically active population is estimated at around 11 million people, of which more than 60 percent are self-employed. Around three quarters of the work force is engaged in the informal economy and with around 80% working in agriculture.

The official visit also allowed Mr. Chuma to dialogue discussed with the Minister of Labour, Ms Helena Taipo, with the representatives of the social partners as well as senior officials from the UN Country team.

The ILO and Mozambique constituents have already signed a Decent Work Country Program (2011-2015) with the following priorities: 1) Poverty Reduction through Creation of Decent Work, with a special focus on women, young people, people with disabilities and people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS; (2) Extension of Social Protection to All (3) Strengthening Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work through social dialogue mechanisms at all levels, with emphasis on women, young people, people with disabilities and people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Technical cooperation

The ILO has been supporting technically the government of Mozambique in the implementation of the Employment and Vocational Training Strategy, aiming primarily at promoting the creation of job opportunities for youth, women and people with disabilities.

A key partner of Mozambique, the ILO has also been promoting the expansion of a Social Protection Floor in a country which has been practicing employment intensive investment (EII) in the infrastructure sector especially in the road sub sector.

The ILO Regional Director for Africa, Mr. Aeneas Chuma was accompanied by Mr. Martin Clemensson Director of the ILO office for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique and Mr. Igor Felice, Chief Technical Advisor of the ILO in Maputo.