Minister stresses importance of human resources investment

The Herald, 9 July 1998 HARARE. — The development of human resources and economic empowerment of the people will culminate in the establishment of a sound macro-economic environment and reduce poverty.

The Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Cde Florence Chitauro, said in Harare yesterday that sustainable socio-economic development required investing in human resources to equip people with skills required to improve productivity.

The Government was committed to the indigenisation programme and would continue to create an enabling environment for all Zimbabweans to participate fully in the shaping of the economy. In a speech read on her behalf by the deputy director Social Welfare, Mr Claudius Kasere, at the Institute of Personnel Management (Zimbabwe) annual national convention, Cde Chitauro said the primary role of Government was to facilitate while the private sector assumed a leading agent position in economic growth and empowerment creation.

The theme of the IPMZ national convention was: “The Power of People.”

Business and human resources executives from across the country are attending the convention which ends today.

Cde Chitauro said Zimprest hinged upon cooperation among stakeholders in the economy and personnel management practitioners contributed a lot towards the development of the country’s human resources.

Zimprest’s objective is to bring an adequate and sustainable rate of economic growth and social development to reduce poverty and create productive employment, she added.

“The Government is noting with concern the adverse publicity the country is receiving and also waning business confidence. I implore all stakeholders, labour and business to assume collective responsibility for the attainment of a positive economic environment.”

Lessons

• As human resource is considered as an asset, any expenditure incurred in the acquisition and accumulation of human resource will be treated as an investment.

• Cost of human resources represents sacrifice that will have to be incurred today to acquire and develop people in future.

• Investing in human capital is the experience that should use especially countries facing the problem of unemployment.

• Investing in human capital, particularly in education is essential for sustainable economic development.

• Investing in professional development for your staff can lead to greater job satisfaction.

• Investing in employee development can help to grow your employee engagement. Giving your staff career advancement opportunities, and investing in their development, gives them a reason to be engaged at work.

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