2022 World Cup tournament-Football - Tanzanian youths may secure several job opportunities in Qatar as part of the Arabic country's preparations for the 2022 World Cup tournament.The good news was revealed yesterday by the minister for Labour and Employment, Ms Gaudencia Kabaka. She was briefing the press on her trip to Geneva where she attended the 100th annual general meeting of the International Labour Organization (ILO). She said at the meeting Tanzania government officials held discussions with their Qatar counterparts who showed an interest in importing a labour force from Tanzania during preparations for the tournament.

"The government of Qatar expressed an interest in getting experts from this country to fill various positions, mainly in the construction industry, after it was chosen to host the 2022 World Cup tournament," she said.

According to her, the job openings would be in fields like teaching, administration, health, hotels, engineering and domestic work.

She said a delegation from Qatar is expected in the country next month to formally request for such experts. Thereafter, the two countries will sign a memorandum of understanding on terms and conditions of working in that country.But the minister maintained that the arrangement will be done at the government level and no individual arrangements will be allowed.

Ms Kabaka said Qatar officials showed a great interest in getting domestic workers from Tanzania. But she cautioned that the government will spell out clear conditions for the workers, and would not allow its citizens to be exploited.The minister noted that Qatar would prefer domestic workers specialized in certain areas like caring for old people. But it would take even those with neither education nor specialisation in certain areas.

To ensure their safety abroad, the minister said, officials of the Tanzania embassy or ministry would be visiting them at their work places to see how they were being treated, she said.

"I advise Tanzanian youths not to waste time when such chances arise. They should not remain selective as neighbouring countries have really grabbed such chances," she said.Meanwhile, Tanzania was elected a member of the governing body of ILO for the next three years after the first term expired in June this year.. (Polycarp Machira).

The Citizen/27/06/2011