LUSAKA (ILO News) - Under the leadership of the Ministry of Finance, representatives from selected government ministries and institutions, workers and employers organizations and experts of the International Labour Organization (ILO) gathered in Lusaka, to discuss inclusive growth and job creation in selected strategic sectors contributing to Zambia’s economic growth.
From 26 - 28 August 2014, participants explored the nature and the size of the inclusive green growth in different sectors including construction, tourism, energy and manufacturing.
Delegations from South Africa, Namibia, Malaysia and the International Labour Office (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland were invited to share their experiences on creating an enabling environment for inclusive green growth and green jobs creation. The high level meeting agreed on a terms of reference for technical working group and develop a roadmap on how similar approaches can be developed in Zambia. It is expected that the assessment will be finalized in the course of next year.
Green Jobs are defined by the ILO as decent jobs that contribute to preserve or restore a sustainable environment, be they in traditional sectors such as manufacturing and construction, or in new, emerging green sectors such as renewable energy and energy efficiency.
A 2013 report of the ILO, Working towards Sustainable Development, revealed that promoting green growth and green policies can create significant numbers of green jobs. In addition, the study revealed how certain countries through the correct policy and financing framework have achieved net positive employment gain. In South Africa alone, it has been estimated that over 300,000 green jobs can be realized from green growth in the medium to long term. The Government of South Africa and its stakeholders have already agreed on the Green Accord which is promoting inclusive green growth and job creation in energy and other economic sectors.
Green Jobs Assessment Zambia is supported by the UN Zambia Green Jobs Programme which is initially focussing on the building construction sector but with an aim to contribute to the broader discussion on promoting inclusive green growth and job creation in Zambia. The Zambia Green Jobs Programme is supported by the Government of Finland.
For more detailed information, please contact:
Mr Tapera Muzira, Chief Technical Advisor – Zambia Green Jobs UN Joint Programme, [email protected], T 0965/849 567
Mr Karl Pfeffer, Assistant Programme Manager – Zambia Green Jobs UN Joint Programme, [email protected] , T 0967/ 795 436
