The Jesuit Center for Theological Reflections (JCTR) has recommended that job creation opportunities should be initiated by both the public and private sector to address the high unemployment in Zambia.
The Center says there is need to promote just wages for people to help meet the high cost of living across the country.
JCTR Social & Economic Development Programme Officer Chanda Chileshe has urged the government to fully embrace and expand the e-voucher programme.
Mr. Chileshe says this will promote agriculture diversification from maize growing to Livestock and Fish farming.
He says urban farming should also be encouraged so that households are able to exercise increased self-sufficiency and supplement some basic needs.
“Economic, Social and Cultural Rights must be specifically enshrined in and protected by the Bill of Rights,” he said.
Meanwhile, according to the JCTR Basic Needs Basket (BNB), the cost of living for a family of five in Lusaka declined by K29 from K5, 424 in December 2018 to K5, 395 in January 2019.
Mr. Chileshe says this minimal decrease, however, does not provide significant relief to average Zambian families, as the cost of the BNB for January remained stubbornly high, particularly as the country continues to experience high unemployment and poverty levels, inequality, corruption and other socio-economic challenges.
“The January 2019 Basic Needs Basket for a family of five in Lusaka stood at K5, 395. The most significant changes were noted in Tea bags which decreased by K12 from K85 to K73. Charcoal reduced by K5 from K138 to K133 per 90 kg bag. Prices for commodities such as vegetables dropped due to seasonal factors. Vegetables decreased by K3 from K9 to K6 per Kg. On the other hand, the cost of Fish and Kapenta increased because of the current three-month fish ban to promote breeding. Prices of Fish increased by K28 from K103 to K131 per kg and Kapenta increased by K4 from K198 to K202,” he said.
He says housing in Lusaka’s medium density remained high at K3, 000 per month for a 3 bedroomed house.
“Zesco bills amounted to K292 for 402 kwh and water bills were calculated at K192 per month. Beyond this, households incurred significant expenses on other essential costs of living such as education, health and transport,” said Mr. Chileshe.
“The BNB illustrates that living in Lusaka remains expensive and challenging for average Zambians. It limits opportunities for development and slows on the growth of human dignity. If the status quo is maintained, the country will continue languishing in high poverty levels which might be difficult to recover from. The impact of this will be felt particularly by Zambians surviving on the social and economic margins.”

_________________________________________
MONEY FM IS ZAMBIA’S FIRST AND ONLY BUSINESS & PERSONAL FINANCE RADIO STATION. WE FOCUS ON BUSINESS AND MONEY-RELATED TOPICS, AS WELL AS GENERAL NEWS AND DISCUSSION OF WIDER SOCIAL TOPICS SUCH AS HEALTH, EDUCATION, FOOD, MUSIC, FITNESS AND MORE
____________________________________________