Excerpts from last SONA
Staff Writer | Friday November 6, 2015 15:17
Economic growth and Job creation
“Economic growth has been accompanied by a net expansion in job numbers; albeit not enough to absorb all those seeking employment. As of 2012 unemployment (18 and over) stood at 17.5%, down from 23.5% at the beginning of 2007. To further augment efforts to reduce unemployment, Government in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) is currently formulating a National Employment Policy, to provide for better coordination of existing employment - intensive investments,” 2013 SONA.
Policy formulation
The NDP 10 Mid-Term Review (MTR) process ended in April 2013 with approval by Parliament. The Review was driven by Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) constituted by cabinet and chaired by permanent secretaries at technical level and ministers at policy level. Among others, the TWGs identified national priority areas as well as policies and strategies for driving development initiatives during the remaining period of NDP 10.
Work Ethics
Good work ethics cannot exist where employees and employers are at loggerheads. For its part, government continues to promote conducive labour relations.
The Trade Disputes Act is being reviewed in order to establish a more efficient dispute resolution system.Unfortunately, some trade unions are contravening the provisions of the Trade Unions and Employers’ Organisations Act by failing to submit their annual returns.
This matter is being closely monitored to ensure that workers’ funds are not being misused.
Immigration
Following the introduction of the Point Based System to assess applicants for work and residence permits, the assessment criteria have now been standardised for all the Regional Immigrants Selection Boards. This has improved transparency as the applicants know the attributes that they will be assessed on. The system will be reviewed to ensure its efficiency and effectiveness. The automation of systems for the processing of visa and citizenship applications is complete.
2014 SONA Economic growth and job creation
It is pleasing to note that to date, CEDA has funded 5,462 enterprises with a total value of nearly P8.55 billion, in the process creating over 48,935 jobs.
During the 2013/14 financial year, CEDA assisted 151 new enterprises with a total monetary value of P152 million, collectively generating 1,042 new jobs.
Water
Our efforts to maintain water supply are, of course, further challenged by recurring drought.
To address this challenge the Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) has introduced water restrictions and rationing in order to reduce water demand.
As government we have further availed a budget of P470 million for drought mitigation projects, including the upgrading and refurbishment of boreholes and the expansion of treatment plant capacity.
So far P338 million worth of projects are at various stages of implementation.