Issa Tchiroma Bakary, Minister of Employment and Vocational Training has paid a working visit to the National Employment Fund (NEF) following his appointment as head of the ministry. The visit took the Minister and his close collaborators to the headquarters, central branch and Centre regional branch of the institution, Wednesday January 23, 2019.

During a working session which characterized the visit, the Director General of the National Employment Fund, Mouté à Bidias Camille presented to the Minister their main areas of intervention. He cited specifically their role as intermediary between employers and employees. Bidias also mentioned support to start-ups with economic growth potentials, professional training as well as collection and analysis of data relating to the job market.

The Director General disclosed that despite challenges, they have been making great strides. Since inception in April 1990, the Fund has secured job placements for some 640,836 persons, as at 2018. Bidias told the Minister that NEF lacks financial means and the Fund is in need of resources to carry out its commitment to reduce underemployment and unemployment to socially-acceptable levels. He also highlighted the need for a national employment policy voted by parliament.

For his part, Minister Tchiroma said they will leave no stone unturned to ensure that NEF breaths well and carries out its mission. “We will not relent any effort to sort out difficulties raised by NEF,” Tchiroma assured. He lauded NEF staff for their efforts and urged them to remain steadfast as they carry on the training of youths, for “there is no employment without training.”