The Minister of Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Rashid Pelpuo, has clarified that the government is not setting a fixed number of jobs for 2026. Instead, efforts will focus on providing employment opportunities for around three million people who are either unemployed or dissatisfied with their current work.
Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on Monday, January 12, Dr Pelpuo was asked whether the ministry had a specific job creation target for the year. He explained that the dynamic nature of unemployment makes it impossible to set a precise figure.
“Even if we address current unemployment this year, new job seekers will continue to enter the labour market,” he said. “Next year, more people will graduate from universities and seek opportunities. So the numbers are always changing.”
Rather than fixating on a formal target, Dr Pelpuo said the government has identified a segment of the labour market that needs urgent attention.
“We’ve noted that around three million people need to be employed,” he explained, emphasising that this is not an official target. “I’m not saying that’s a target. That’s the group we are focusing on.”
This group, he said, includes both those who are completely unemployed and those who are employed but unsatisfied with their current positions.
“Some people are unhappy in their current jobs and are looking for better opportunities, while others don’t have any employment at all. This is the segment we are prioritising,” Dr Pelpuo added.
The minister stressed repeatedly that the figure of three million should not be interpreted as a fixed annual goal or a promise.
“Remember, this is not a target. We are not committing to create exactly three million jobs this year. It simply represents the population we are focusing on in our job creation programmes,” he said.
Dr Pelpuo also admitted that it is currently too early to predict how many of these positions will be created within the year.
“How much will be achieved this year, I cannot tell you at this stage,” he said, highlighting the ongoing and evolving nature of the ministry’s initiatives.