By:Nghiinomenwa-vali Erastus
Updates from the ministry tasked with employment creation in the country revealed that it has registered around 29,935 in 2022 and only 2,200 of those managed to be placed (got employed).
The ministry indicated that in responses to vacancies received from 429 employers, it has referred a total of 4,240 jobseekers but only 2,200 were accepted.
This come at the time that some 700 education graduates were competing for one teaching post at Mwadikange Kaulinge Secondary School in Ohangwena Region.
The Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation play the matchmaker between jobseekers and employers who are hiring in the economy.
This is through the country’s National Integrated Employment Information System (NIEIS) which registers jobseekers and employers (designated employers).
Through the NIEIS, designated employers are required by law to advertise all their vacancies in the systems, enabling jobseekers to have access to various job opportunities in the economy.
According to the Employment Creation Ministry, for 2022, it has registered 429 designated employers in the system.
Before the latest amendment, a designated employer was a company that has 25 employees.
However, from yesterday’s announcement, the Employment Creation Ministry has announced that any company that has 10 employees or more will be a designated employer.
Thus, from the 30 November 2023 it should register with the ministry and start advertising/listing all its vacancies on the NIEIS as required by the Employment Services Act.
“This enables the ministry to link designated employers and to register jobseekers in terms of employment through the NIEIS,” explained Otniel Podewiltz, the acting executive directors for the labour and employment creation.
He stated that the changes to the threshold was prompted by the drive to promote inclusivity and allow extension to the informal sector which forms a large part of the Namibian economy.
Podewiltz said that with the reduction of the threshold it will “likely maximize employment opportunities for jobseekers, as many employers are now required to comply with the new requirement”.
He also reminded employers that it will be unlawful for them to fill their vacancies without truthfully evaluating the candidates referred by the NIEIS system.
PodeWiltz said that employers who are going to disregard the requirement of the Part 3, of the Employment Service Act, will be fined N$20 000 or be imprisoned for a period not exceeding 2 years or both.
The NIEIS collects, stores and update information concerning relevant details of jobseekers; vacancies in the economy; specialised skills possessed by various Namibians and employers. Email: erastus@thevillager.com.na
Only 2 200 placed of the around 30 000 registered Jobseekers for 2022
