174' Lesothors population is projected to grou, from 1.2 million in 1976 to nearly1'5 mirlion at the end of 1985 and to reach 2 million by the year 2000. The labourforce is projected to grow from 570,000 in 1g76 to g2g,400 by the end of lgg5 andto reach 1,005,000 by the year 2000. Lesothors most difficult charlenge is toprovide productive and remunerative employment opportunities within Lesotho for its people' The safety valve has been migrant labour to the Republic of south Africa.Recent developments in the labour market of south Africa indicate that the need toreduce dependence on the migratory labour system is now more urgent than everbefore' since 1976 the numbers of migrant workers have been declining. Thesituation is worsened by the fact that the wage sector in Lesotho is very small andthe rate of job creation is very low. The di;inishing employment opportunities in south Africa coupled with the increasing labour force in the-country creates aserious employment challenge for Lesotho. r The monetary unit in Lesotho is the malot,i M. As at I June rgg5, thevalue of the maloti was M t = $US 0.50.A/40/441 English Page 6I 175. There is always a threat that the migrant labourers in South Africa may be repatriated either gradually or suddenly. For example, in April of this year, 3,000 Basotho mine workers r.rere dismissed over a pay dispute. tfhile a number of them have subsequently been rehired, others will not be. Lesotho must, therefore, be prepared to absorb them. The economy must be restructured in such a manner that productive employment opportunities are created in order to absorb the increasing labour force as well as the migrant workers in the event of repatriation. Priority will thus, from now on, be given to productive sectors such as agriculture and industry, and industrial development, strategies are being revised accordingly.
**Analysis**
The text discusses the population growth, labour force, and employment challenges facing Lesotho, as well as the need to restructure the economy to absorb the increasing labour force and migrant workers. It highlights the urgency of creating productive employment opportunities, particularly in agriculture and industry, and the importance of industrial development strategies. The text does not mention natural resources, environment, health, education, humanitarian aid, culture, or science and technology, but it does touch on international trade and transport.

**Category**
Employment, Economic development