Experts say no need for pessimism about 1 million job creation

Political and economic commentators have said there is no need for  “pessimism” in vice president Saulos Chilima’s one million job creation promise, saying it is a possible dream.

Kubalasa: 1 millon job creation is possible

University of Livingstonia political analyst George Phiri said this is disappointing to note the stand taken by President Peter Mutharika in doubting the the plan, saying as he should be in the forefront in advocating for such huge job creation.

“It is possible to create one million jobs. The government can create jobs even outside the country where Malawians can go and work. This is possible,” he said.

He said Mutharika needed to understand Chilima’s statement in wider horizon.

“The President should not be short sighted,” he said.

Malawi Economic Justice Network (Mejn) executive director Dalitso Kubalasa concurred with Phiri, saying one million job creation is possible if the government is determined.

Kubalasa also said the country can have high-speed trains, saying what Mutharika told the people in Nkhotakhota was merely meant to distort facts and mislead people.

Mutharika told people in Nkhotakota that what Chilima, who is the leader of the United Transformation Movement, was merely building castles in the air.

Presidential spokesperson Mgeme Kalilani said what the President said was just an expression of his opinion.

“As a human, he is entitled to his opinion. He was telling people that politicians need to be realistic when promising people,” said Kalilani.

Economic commentators argue that the fact that the Malawi’s economy is not diversified with productivity still low is enough reason for the country to continue failing to produce jobs arguing plans to create more jobs in the economy should accompany economic diversification.

Chancellor College economics professor Ben Kaluwa noted that unless the country boosts productivity by diversifying the economy creating a million jobs is wishful thinking.

“Talk of diversifying the economy first before talking about creating such number of jobs. We are not saying creating a million jobs is not possible in Malawi but taking from the state of affairs, it could take more than what we think to achieve this,” he said.

On quotes reported by the press,  economic commentator Gilbert Kachamba said though possible, creating a million jobs would require a lot more than focusing on a single component of the economy.

He said: “Creating a million jobs is no joke. We are talking about real employment not seasonal or casual and to achieve this there are a lot of supply side constraints that need to be addressed to achieve that goal.

“For instance, the energy sector needs serous scrutiny because no serious investor can come to invest in the country in its current status but also the education sector needs some reforms to feed the growing industry with the skilled labour.”

UTM  spokesperson Joseph Chidanti Malunga maintained the Movement  believes it can use the available resources in the country to create jobs.

“We know that reducing the amount of money that goes into people’s pockets will certainly make a difference in the country. What we are saying is that we are going to build roads, hospitals and other infrastructure and we know this will translate in jobs,” he said.

Malawi has been facing a labour crisis with National Statistical Office (NSO) figures showing that unemployment rate in Malawi is at 23 percent, according to a labour survey conducted in 2015.

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pathfinder
pathfinder
5 years ago

Inu a UTP, kapena nditi UTM, momwe amalankhulira chilima, baalotani ine ndiye ndikungomva kukoma ndi boma la DPP, madela akwathu sindimayembekezera kuti kufika magetsi mu ma ulamuliro a MCP komanso UDF. Koma boma la DPP layika magetsi madera a pa MSIKA WANJALA, kwa M’BIZA, ku NAMISASI, kwa MISANJO, kwa MISINJE komanso, ku NANTOMBOZI. Olo mutayesetsa bwanji, madera amenewa ndi miseu yomwe ayijudulira, simungapezeko voti.

Waku Gauteng
Waku Gauteng
5 years ago

Don’t forget APM studied and mastered the art of arguing in courts and on the other hand Saulos mastered Business including business that are dying to make them profitable. Does that surprise you about the pessimism? Lawyers like to argue about sweet nothings and we don’t need that. We need someone to give hope to this dying nation

Zabura
Zabura
5 years ago

YES its posssible .Revamping admarc,Malawi housing,Works ,forest and Agriculture.

Noxy
5 years ago

What kind of 1million jobs is Chilima creating in Malawi.This is a political joke.

ndele
ndele
5 years ago

chilima will not do this on his own. it needs dedicated people to help[ revamp. eg how can BEN PHILI have some billions kwaca inn one bank and k900,000.000 in another bank. plus flats in area 43. in such a short time? this is wat SKC is saying that money to use in introducing workforce is mommuno, azibweza ndipo azibweze basi . we fucking sick n tired of these pompous people. instesd of governing the country they are governingt their tribes, family ,friends, girl-boy friends. creating more jobs. is his focus. technical places for aprenticeship. our young people only know… Read more »

oMachemba
oMachemba
5 years ago

Let’s face it: the million jobs Chilima says his regime would create, on short order no less, is simply a pipe dream. The sooner Chilima drops this claim, the better it will be for him and his bus company, UTM. Otherwise he’s heading for a credibility crisis: as even educated Malawians see right through this for what it is – only a political statement based on NO credible basis. Read the comments in the article, and you’ll find none of the experienced economists will put their personal stamp on such a half baked plan. Power (Electricity) first. Diversification second. Then… Read more »

SIMASANJE
SIMASANJE
5 years ago

Chilima exudes brilliance. The choking effect on other is evidenced by the hostile reactions. The empty statements in which you hardly see a well thought out argument. All balderdash from lazy minds. Chilima is a blessing to Malawi political terrain no one ever since he came on the scene has gone to sleep. As of now there are three political camps namely UTM MCP and UDF the other groupings are breathlessly in marathon but no strategic agenda for Malawi. All crooks are mouths agape no realistic manifestos

Chothandizila
Chothandizila
5 years ago
Reply to  SIMASANJE

Chilima is playing brilliant politics. All parties and the general public are focusing an debating on what he says. They have stopped talking of other parties and their manifestoes. They are all talking UTM and its economic policies. UTM is fast becoming a household name. What brilliance. I like these boys.

King
King
5 years ago
Reply to  SIMASANJE

Mr you’re comment is a joke too like this liar Chilima on his impossible statements that his busy cooking in his political pot, for those who stayed outside Malawi will understanding what it takes a country that is having limited resources to create even 500,000 jobs within the space of two years, therefore is sad that people they backing vocals on this felled politician, a thing that is indicating our ignorance as a nation.

chataika
chataika
5 years ago

What Ben Kalua says is exactly what the APM was meaning. Akuluakulu mukundimvetsa chisoni kwambiri kodi have you forgotten kuti it is the same just recently who said we should not just clap hands for everything our political leaders say? Now Chilima is cheating you and u clap hands u know Malawi likes ppo who talk lies i believe now. Chilima lero lokha lokha kadya pa chiwaya chips all these years have you ever seen him kudya pa chiwaya and Akweni amvekere eee ndi mmene alili Chilima shame kwabasi. Anakhala nawo pa maliro cha ku monkeybay uku do you mean… Read more »

Chilungamo
Chilungamo
5 years ago
Reply to  chataika

You’re doing injustice to your body& soul ‘dude’. Do not be so angry, anthu amakomokatu ndi BP, tell your DPP colleagues/ zealots this free advice.

pathfinder
pathfinder
5 years ago
Reply to  Chilungamo

Amwene ine ndzavotera DPP ndipo ndimamva chisoni agalu ena akamati palibe yemwe adzavotere DPP chipani chatha, mukudzichinda ndi chala. Zaka zonsezi kumudzi kwathu kunalibe magetsi, pano afika ndikungomva kukoma, ndiye wina abwere masanasana kuti azandisinthe maganizo? mwalemba mmadzi!

Ntengo wa Kesia
Ntengo wa Kesia
5 years ago
Reply to  chataika

@Chataika:
Comment well focused apa!
Chilima wakomanana nazo zi ma analyst ngati inu.

kaguta
kaguta
5 years ago

So some political analyst and Ambuye Che Kubalasa’s “analysis” is that one million Jobs are possible in a Year in a country where current total fill time employment is just about 600,000? So it is feasible to create industry that can tripple labour force in one Year !!! Chilimanomics ? Nonsense

kanganiwamba
kanganiwamba
5 years ago

But this commentator from University of Livingstonia is an embassment. You mean exporting labour to other countries is what should constitute job creation? Shame!

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