Revolutionizing Employment: Student’s Bold Proposal to Curb Youth Unemployment Sparks National Debate
By Adonis Byemelwa
Alexander Barunguza, a visionary student at the Law School of Tanzania, has ignited a revolutionary constitutional case poised to tackle youth unemployment head-on. With a bold proposition to abolish permanent employment in favor of 10-year contracts, Barunguza is challenging the status quo and advocating for a system where public servants step aside after a decade to make way for the next generation.
His argument, which has recently made a huge buzz in social media is simple yet profound: it’s easier for someone with 10 years of experience to transition to self-employment than it is for a fresh graduate. Barunguza’s case has garnered widespread support and sparked a crucial debate about the future of work in Tanzania.
He proposes that there should be no permanent employment; instead, a person should work on a 10-year contract and then step down to make room for others. He argues that people should not hold public jobs until they reach the retirement age of 55-65 years; they should step aside to let others work.
Barunguza asserts that it is easier to tell someone who has worked for 10 years to become self-employed than to tell someone who just graduated to find self-employment on their own.
He argues that the Public Service Law, which mandates that a person should leave their job upon reaching retirement age, deprives other people, especially the youth, of their right to work as enshrined in the Constitution. He wants the law to be changed.
“In my quick observations, the case has been well received by many, but there is concern about how the court will decide,” he said amid applause.
Notable figures like Chris Katembo, Mussa Lugete, and Wilbrod Kisilu have shown their support for Barunguza’s initiative. They agree that the current system is not conducive to addressing the high levels of youth unemployment and believe that a change in the employment structure could provide new opportunities for young people.
Chris Katembo, an economist, emphasized that the job market is not expanding at a pace that can absorb the large number of young people entering the workforce each year.
He pointed out that the formal sector, which offers more stable and better-paying jobs, is relatively small, forcing most young people to find work in the informal sector, characterized by low pay, poor working conditions, and a lack of job security.
Mussa Lugete, a social activist, argued that the education system is also a major issue, as there is a mismatch between the skills that young people acquire through formal education and the needs of the labor market.
Many graduates find themselves ill-prepared for the job market, lacking the practical skills that employers seek. He believes that Barunguza’s proposal could help bridge this gap by creating more entry-level opportunities for young graduates.
Wilbrod Kisilu, a former public servant, noted that while Barunguza’s proposal is innovative, implementing such a policy would require a major overhaul of the existing employment laws and public service structures.
Alexander Barunguza: Photo: File
There would also be resistance from those who currently hold permanent positions and are accustomed to the security and benefits that come with long-term employment. He suggested that the government would need to provide robust support systems for those transitioning out of public service to ensure they do not fall into unemployment themselves.
The experience of employability in China offers valuable lessons for Tanzania. In China, there is a strong emphasis on vocational education and training, which ensures that graduates have the practical skills needed in the labor market.
China’s rapid economic growth has created a large number of job opportunities, particularly in the manufacturing and service sectors. The Chinese government has also implemented various policies to encourage entrepreneurship and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), providing young people with the resources and support they need to start their businesses.
Tanzania can learn from China by improving its vocational education and training systems to better align with the needs of the labor market.
The government could also implement policies to stimulate economic growth and create more job opportunities, particularly in sectors that have the potential to absorb a large number of workers. Supporting entrepreneurship and SMEs could also be a key strategy in addressing youth unemployment, as it would provide young people with viable alternatives to formal employment.
Barunguza’s proposal is a bold and innovative approach to addressing youth unemployment in Tanzania. While it would require careful planning, widespread support, and significant changes to the current employment framework, the debate it has sparked is valuable. It highlights the urgent need to find effective solutions to the persistent issue of youth unemployment in Tanzania.
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