By Jonah Pankuku::
Four government ministers have left the country for Tel Aviv, Israel, for the official signing of the much awaited government-to-government labour export deal set for this Wednesday, The Daily Times has learnt.
Two weeks ago, the two countries failed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the deal, leaving over 4,000 eligible Malawian youths in suspense.
A government official confided in The Daily Times that Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu, Labour Minister Agnes NyaLonje, Foreign Affairs Minister Nancy Tembo and Homeland Security Minister Ken Zikhale Ng’oma are part of the delegation.
- Advertisement -
This has come as a relief to frustrated Malawian youths who recently staged protests in Lilongwe, where they implored President Lazarus Chakwera to intervene in the issue.
- Advertisement -
“I can confirm that the signing of the labour export deal is set for this Wednesday but I have no details of the nitty-gritties. Four ministers are travelling to Israel,” the source said.
The source indicated that Parliament was aware of the trip.
Chairperson for the Parliamentary Taskforce on Labour Export to Israel Joyce Chitsulo said she was aware that some Cabinet ministers were travelling to Israel for the signing of the deal.
She could, however, not shed light into what is in the deal documents.
- Advertisement -
“Otherwise, we are happy with the development.
“But we, as a committee, are not happy with the pace at which government is handling the issue. We hope that the authorities will now fast-track the process for the youth to leave. They have waited for so long,” Chitsulo said.
Israel is now offering only 2,500 job opportunities to Malawians to work in farms.
This is contrary to the initial pledge of 100,000 slots, which were reportedly allocated to private agencies.
The change has also seen the contract period for new Malawian workers being slashed from five to two years.
On February 23 this year, Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola Banda told Parliament that the government-to-government deal would streamline employment processes and safeguard prospective employees from exploitation.
Members of Parliament also asked government to prioritise the utilisation of National Economic Empowerment Fund loans to process passports, medical examination papers, air tickets and other relevant documents for the selected workers.
In January this year, Secretary to the Treasury Betchani Tchereni led a 12-member delegation to Israel for discussions and appreciation of working conditions of hundreds of young Malawians that are already there.
