for the production of progress report on the implementation of MDGs and other related
instruments.
271. With reference to the APR Panel recommendation on the need to deal with the issue of youth
unemployment through the design of adequate programmes for employment promotion, the
Government approved Employment and Vocational Training Programme(2006-2015) in an
effort to implement government policies and programmes in the area of employment based on
the aspirations of citizens which objective is to promote growth in employment generation at
short and long term in order to create development self-employment. For this purpose, the
Government designed and is implementing an Integrated Programme for the Reform of
Professional Education and Fund for the Support of Youth Initiatives with the objective of
boosting self employment generation initiatives and income generation among the youth. As a
result, in total, the Fund financed about 637 youth Projects.
272. Meanwhile, the Government is implementing, with the participation of international partner and
civil society organizations, an extensive reform programme of technical education sector, with
the objective of changing the present paradigm of professional education and adjust to the
present needs of labour market. For this purpose various centres for professional training were
built, rehabilitated and outfitted.
273. In the same context, and as a way of resolving the problem of urban youth poverty and
unemployment, a phenomenon that is increasingly concerning the continent and a source of
social unrest, the Government designed and is implementing at national level a Strategic Plan
for the Reduction of Urban Poverty28.
274. Notwithstanding the current Government efforts, preliminary data from INCAF29 shows a
national employment rate of 8,1%30, with high rates in urban areas than in the rural areas,
21,4% and 2,4% respectively. According to alternative definition31 used in the context of the
said survey unemployment rate would be almost higher, namely 22,5%, with higher rates in the
urban areas (34,9%) compared to the rural areas (17,2%). From geographical point of view,
the southern region comes with the highest unemployment rates (26%) compared to the North
and Centre of the country (23,9% e 19,7%, respectively). The city of Maputo registers the
highest unemployment rate (35,7%), while Zambézia has the lowest rate (10,0%). The level of
school education is one of the key variables what explains the variations of unemployment
rate.32
275. Thus, it constitutes a challenge for the country in terms of employment, in particular among the
youth. One of the alternatives will be the provision of technical capacity that will allow them
greater and best opportunity and also be able to create self employment 33.
28
It should be noted that in another initiative called District Development Fund, widely known as “7 millions, about 69.984
prospective employment candidates were integrated in the employment market between 2010 and 2012 of which there are
youth (Mid Term Review of the PQG -2010-2014)
29
July-September de 2012
30
According to the definition of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
31
Pages 32 e 33 of INCAF, Relatório do I Trimestre, July – September de 2012.
32 Preliminary Report of the Working Group on the System of Poverty Monitoring and Analysis – Annual Review 2012 Government of Mozambique and Programmatic Support Partners.
33
According to Employment and Professional Training Strategy, 90% of youth who search for employment their school
education is below standard 9 but the majority (62%) have no qualification or no professional experience what means that
90