Saidi Underscores Importance of Labour in Africa’s Socio-Economic Growth
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By Kevin Twara
Lilongwe, Malawi — The Chief Secretary to the Government, Justin Saidi, has underscored the critical role that employment and labour issues play in driving socio-economic growth in Malawi and across the African region.
Saidi made the remarks in Lilongwe when he presided over the closing ceremony of the African Regional Labour Administration Centre (ARLAC) Committee of Senior Officials and Symposium, which Malawi hosted from Monday to Thursday this week.
He emphasized the need for African countries to use such gatherings as platforms to build and strengthen the capacity of policymakers and influencers in the labour sector, noting that labour remains a cornerstone for national an continental development.
“Look around you—the roof over our heads, the clothes we wear, the food we eat—everything is a product of labour. If the world’s workers paused for just 60 seconds, our global system would collapse,” said Saidi.
The Chief Secretary further urged ARLAC member states to refocus their efforts on addressing labour market challenges affecting Africa.
“We must develop inclusive policies and undertake reforms aimed at promoting sound labour administration. Policy documents should not just be papers on shelves—they must be blueprints for action,” he stressed.
In his remarks, ARLAC Executive Director Retselisitsoe Khetsi highlighted the organization’s continued efforts to enhance labour administration systems through targeted training and capacity-building for labour administrators across the continent.
Khetsi noted that ARLAC has played a pivotal role in strengthening the capacity of policymakers and practitioners within the labour administration sector, contributing to improved policy development and implementation in its member states.
During the meeting, Malawi assumed the chairmanship of the ARLAC Committee of Senior Officials, with the country’s Principal Secretary for Labour taking the role of Chairperson for a one-year term.
Established in 1975, ARLAC is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising 18 member countries. Its mandate is to strengthen labour administration systems through training, research, consultancy, advisory services, and publications.
The ARLAC Committee of Senior Officials is made up of Secretaries for Labour, Labour Commissioners, and senior government officials responsible for labour administration across member states.
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