Right to Work and Youth Precariousness in Mozambique

Adnencia Fumo"

A constitutional right at risk: young people face unemployment, precarious contracts and gambling addiction as an alternative.

The right to work is guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique, which guarantees all citizens the freedom to choose employment and protection against employment discrimination. However, for many young Mozambicans, this constitutional guarantee is far from their everyday reality. The lack of stable, well-paid employment opportunities has led many to seek alternatives, not always healthy, to cope with economic precariousness.

Data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) reveals that the unemployment rate in the city of Maputo is alarming, reaching 36% among young people, while the national average is 18%. This disparity highlights the difficulties urban youth face in finding formal employment. Many young graduates end up accepting informal or underemployed jobs, such as street vendors, app-based drivers, or domestic workers, without access to basic labor rights such as vacation time, health insurance, or retirement.

Faced with a lack of professional prospects, some young people have turned to gambling as a way to improve their financial situation. Digital platforms like "Aviator" have gained popularity, offering quick bets with promises of easy winnings. However, this search for quick solutions has led to serious consequences.

In Inhambane, for example, a police officer of the Republic of Mozambique committed suicide after losing approximately 45,000 meticais in a game of chance. Similar cases have been recorded in other regions, such as Maputo and Bilene, where indebted young people resort to loans to gamble, believing they can recover their lost money. When the winnings don't materialize, despair takes over, resulting in family and social tragedies.

Gambling addiction affects not only individuals but also their families and communities. Many young people compromise family finances, sell personal assets, or incur debts with loan sharks to support their gambling habit. Furthermore, the social stigma associated with addiction exacerbates the isolation and marginalization of these young people, further hindering their social and professional reintegration.

It is urgent that the State, in partnership with civil society and the private sector, implement effective public policies to combat youth unemployment and associated addictions. Some measures include:

- Investment in technical and professional education: offering practical training aligned with the demands of the job market, preparing young people for emerging sectors of the economy.

- Creation of internship and apprenticeship programs: facilitate young people's entry into the job market through practical experiences that increase their employability.

- Promotion of youth entrepreneurship: support entrepreneurial initiatives with training, access to credit and mentoring, encouraging the creation of sustainable businesses.

- Strict oversight of gambling platforms: implement regulations that limit access to gambling, especially for minors, and promote awareness campaigns about the risks of addiction.

Recently, the Mozambican government identified and deactivated approximately 18,800 ghost civil servants, most of whom had died or retired, and who continued to receive improper salaries. Despite the announcement of the creation of approximately 6,000 new positions to fill these positions, many positions are not filled transparently or effectively due to bureaucratic selection processes and a lack of adequate qualifications among candidates, especially young candidates.

This situation represents a wasted opportunity to integrate Mozambican youth into the public sector, offering them stability and the opportunity to contribute to the country's development. Ensuring that these positions are filled by qualified young people would be an important step toward reducing youth unemployment and revitalizing public administration.

The right to work must be more than a constitutional promise; it must be a reality accessible to all young Mozambicans. Combating youth unemployment and associated problems requires a joint and continuous effort, aiming to build a more just and inclusive society, where everyone has the opportunity to fulfill their potential and contribute to the country's development.

2025/12/3