Lesotho Ministry of Labour and Employment
Discussion on Labour Market Issues.
27 August 2015
The Lesotho Ministry of Labour and Employment and International Labour Organisation (ILO) held a workshop on Media and Labour market issues on the 25-26 August 2015 in Maseru.
The objective of the workshop was to achieve an increased understanding of labour market issues, the role of labour market institutions and establish partnerships with the media on communicating labour market issues in the country.
The Minister of labour and employment, Honourable TŠOEU THULO MAHLAKENG began his speech by stating that “As economies and societies become more interdependent, the need to enhance our understanding of the world has become increasingly important.”
Relevant and timely information on the World’s Labour Markets is essential in assisting the ministry to identify and respond to issues such as employment inequalities, national economic development, the size and composition of the labour force and the number of people seeking employment.
As the media has the responsibility to function as a watchdog and liaise between the government, institutions and the general public, it is of great importance that access to information is unrestricted.
“We cannot deny the fact that information access by the media remains a serious challenge. It is therefore not going to be easy for the media to report about labour market information if access to institutions possessing such information is difficult.”
The minister added.
It is for this reason that the Ministry of labour and ILO facilitated this workshop on media and labour market issues.
The workshop served as a platform to establish relationships between government, public institutions and the media, which will create access to information and encourage dissemination of labour market information to the public.
The minister defined labour market information as “data collected on occupations and employment trends.” Labour Market Information is important as it covers the Principal Elements of the Labour Market and its operations which are the demand and supply of labour.
He further acknowledged the vital role of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in assembling, analysing and disseminating information to the world community.
“Allow me to applaud the commendable support the ILO has always given us. It is through this support that the Ministry has been able to achieve many of its goals some of which were not going to be easily attained .Deputy Director of ILO – Pretoria, on behalf of Lesotho Government, we sincerely wish to express our gratitude for your usual upkeep.” said honourable Mahlakeng.
The objective of the workshop was to achieve an increased understanding of labour market issues, the role of labour market institutions and establish partnerships with the media on communicating labour market issues in the country.
The Minister of labour and employment, Honourable TŠOEU THULO MAHLAKENG began his speech by stating that “As economies and societies become more interdependent, the need to enhance our understanding of the world has become increasingly important.”
Relevant and timely information on the World’s Labour Markets is essential in assisting the ministry to identify and respond to issues such as employment inequalities, national economic development, the size and composition of the labour force and the number of people seeking employment.
As the media has the responsibility to function as a watchdog and liaise between the government, institutions and the general public, it is of great importance that access to information is unrestricted.
“We cannot deny the fact that information access by the media remains a serious challenge. It is therefore not going to be easy for the media to report about labour market information if access to institutions possessing such information is difficult.”
The minister added.
It is for this reason that the Ministry of labour and ILO facilitated this workshop on media and labour market issues.
The workshop served as a platform to establish relationships between government, public institutions and the media, which will create access to information and encourage dissemination of labour market information to the public.
The minister defined labour market information as “data collected on occupations and employment trends.” Labour Market Information is important as it covers the Principal Elements of the Labour Market and its operations which are the demand and supply of labour.
He further acknowledged the vital role of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in assembling, analysing and disseminating information to the world community.
“Allow me to applaud the commendable support the ILO has always given us. It is through this support that the Ministry has been able to achieve many of its goals some of which were not going to be easily attained .Deputy Director of ILO – Pretoria, on behalf of Lesotho Government, we sincerely wish to express our gratitude for your usual upkeep.” said honourable Mahlakeng.