Minister of Sports and Youth Development Enock Chihana has faulted critics of labour export deals government is contemplating, saying they do not know what is good for Malawi.
Chihana said this in reaction to a Nation on Sunday survey which revealed that Malawians are divided over government’s proposal to send young people to work in South Korea, Dubai and Kuwait. Out of 700 respondents surveyed in 10 districts and through via short message service (SMS), 49 percent endorsed the idea whereas 51 percent had reservations. However, Chihana blamed the media and opposition politicians for the result. He argued that polititians and journalists do not understand the deal and just criticise for the sake of it. “First, going to Korea will be voluntary. We are not forcing anyone. Malawians do not know what is serious and what is not and it might be the result of some of these critics. “We have 300 000 youths graduating from colleges and secondary schools. Out of those, only 50 000 get absorbed by the labour market. Where do the 250 000 go?” said Chihana.
Member of Parliament for Ntcheu Bwanje North Steven Kamwendo argued in Parliament recently that the deal will rob Malawi of the youthful energies it needs to develop. Kamwendo criticised government for embarking on the deal without going through Parliament. But Minister of Labour Eunice Makangala, in response to Kamwendo, said labour exports have always happened in Malawi.
