YOUTH FEEDING THE FUTURE-ADDRESSING RURAL YOUTH AGED 15-17 IN PREPARING FOR AND ACCESSING DECENT WORK
1. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FACED
1.1. EMPLOYMENT IN FISHING ACTIVITIES.
a) There are about 200,000 fishers (crew) on Lake Victoria and these include individuals of age 15 to 17. The fishers learn on the job. There is no specialized training in fishing activities.
b) The fishers are paid a portion of the value of the catch. Payment is on daily basis and most of them have no bank accounts making saving very difficult.
c) There is no formal arrangement like a contract between the boat owner and the crew. It is just an understanding between the two and they can be dismissed anytime.
d) The fishing activities are risky but most of the crew are not provided with safety equipment like life jackets although it is a requirement and there are hardly any lifesaving arrangements in case of accidents on the lake.
1.2. EMPLOYMENT IN FISH FARMING ACTIVITIES
The youth are employed in construction of ponds, cages, making of nets, feeding and harvesting of the fish. There is no formal training for the youth to acquire skills but learn on the job from their colleagues.
1.3. EMPLOYMENT IN PROCESSING/MARKETING ACTIVITIES.
Youth are engaged in carrying fish from the boats to the drying places, loading into vehicle, packaging and supply of fish to markets. The work arrangement is an understanding between two people. It is informal and may change from time to time.
2. SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT IN EMPLOYMENT AND CONDITIONS OF WORK:
a) Awareness creation and making it mandatory to have formal contracts when employing the youth to show conditions of work
b) Organization of the youth into associations/groups to have a lobbying force, encourage networking to learn from each other and to access financial support as a group
c) Linking the youth organizations/groups to government/Financial institutions/NGOs for technical and financial support.
d) Training in fishing and fish farming activities to get a document which shows what they know to bargain for better pay.
e) Provision of safety equipment to reduce risks while fishing
f) Promote opening of bank accounts and payments to be done monthly through the bank to encourage saving
g) Training the youth in financial management, investment opportunities, writing of proposals to get funding including project management
Dr. Rhoda Tumwebaze
Director Fisheries Management and Development
Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization.
Jinja, Uganda
Rhoda Tumwebaze