ILO ready to support KP Government to develop Youth Employment Framework

PESHAWAR (ILO News): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is lagging behind all other provinces in terms of Youth Employment and there is a dire need to develop a comprehensive and integrated Youth Employment Strategy to reverse the declining trend of youth employment. This was stated by the ILO during the first Provincial Consultation on Youth Employment in Peshawar.

The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in collaboration with Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) and International Labour Organization (ILO) organized a Provincial Consultative workshop on “Youth Employment Framework” on 29th August 2017 in Peshawar. The workshop was attended by the Government departments from KP, United Nations’ agencies, Academia, Civil Society Organizations, Youth-led organizations and the youth representing KPK ILO’s Technical Specialist on Youth Employment Mr Matthieu Conganc from the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok also participated in the workshop.

Seven thematic areas relating to Youth Employment were discussed including:

1. Education and Training
2. Employment opportunities at provincial level
3. Youth Employment in Rural Value Chains
4. Youth Employment in Mega Development Projects
5. Overseas Employment of Youth
6. Self-employment and Enterprise Development and
7. Social Protection for unemployed Youth.

In his welcome remarks, Mr Monibullah Khan Khattak Managing Director Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) said that the role of Youth in development of any country could not be neglected, particularly in the case of Pakistan where over 60% of the population is below the age of 30 among which the youth are enthusiastic to bring change in the fate of nation. He urged the engagement and involvement of the youth in policy-making, implementation and monitoring. He also underlined that the role the industry in prompting opportunities for Youth Employment.

In his address, Mr Makhdoom Adeel-ur-Rehman- Chief Coordinator Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) congratulated the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and International Labour Organization on organizing the workshop and taking forward the agenda on Youth Employment. Mr. Adeel said that Youth were an important labour market segment in any country and had an added significance in the case of Pakistan as the country was undergoing a demographic transition, whereby the share of the working-age population (especially the youth) was increasing faster relative to the other age groups. He emphasized the need to bring synergies in the work of all stakeholders on Youth Employment for visible impact. Mr. Adeel shared the steps taken by the Federal and Provincial Governments in developing the National Youth Employment Framework. He also highlighted the initiatives and achievements of the PMYP including Youth Business loans, Internship Programme, and Skills Training.

The ILO Representative, Mr Kazim Shuaib highlighted major issues in Youth Employment such as underemployment, vulnerable employment and unproductive jobs that need to be addressed. He emphasized on investing in developing policies and action plans for Youth Employment and to identify new avenues for Youth Employment. Mr. Shuaib said that under Pakistan’s Decent Work Country Programme (2016-2020), ILO was providing technical and financial support to social partners (Employers, Workers and Government of Pakistan) to create an enabling decent working environment for youth and would continue its support in this regard. ILO’s collaboration with Prime Minister Youth Programme to formulate youth employment policies was an example of on-going efforts to create decent work opportunities for youth. He appreciated the efforts of Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in organizing the consultation on Youth Employment.

In his presentation, Mr Matthieu Congnac, Youth Employment Specialist from ILO-Bangkok, shared ILO’s international experience on Youth Employment. The statistics on Youth Employment situation in Pakistan and KP was also shared with participants.

The youth from KP discussed their challenges and opportunities under the seven thematic areas of the National Youth Employment Framework. They also shared their views and ideas on how to address these issues.

Similar consultations on Youth Employment Framework are also planned in other provinces and regions of the country in coming months.