We have detected that the browser you are using is no longer supported. As a result, some content may not display correctly.
We suggest that you upgrade to the latest version of any of the following browsers:
close notification
Date
: 25/04/2006
Source: Department of Labour
Title: Mdladlana: Fourth Session of AU Labour and Social Affairs
Commission
Chairman’s remarks by Mr M Mdladlana: Minister of
Labour of the Republic of South Africa on the occasion of the
Fourth Ordinary Session of the Labour and Social Affairs Commission
of the African Union (AU): Cairo, Egypt
Excellencies,
Commissioner for Social Affairs, Advocate Gawanas
Distinguished Representatives from Governments, Social Partners and
non-governmental organisations,
Regional Director of the ILO,
Ladies and gentlemen
I would like to thank the Government and people of Egypt for making
it possible for us to meet here and for the warm hospitality
extended since our arrival in this beautiful city of Cairo. I also
want to thank the Commission for their efforts in preparing for
this meeting and most importantly the member states for making time
to attend this fourth Session of the AU Labour and Social Affairs
Commission so as to discuss important issues placed on the
agenda.
I must also say that it was a great honour for the people of South
Africa and more specifically the South African Government to be
afforded the privilege of having hosted the third Session of the
Labour and Social Affairs Commission of the Africa Union.
I would like to express my gratitude to Adv Gawanas, Commissioner
for the Social Affairs of the Commission of the African Union and
you the Excellencies present here, for your support and the trust
you have bestowed upon the Government of South Africa.
May I assure you that it is both in my personal interest and the
interest of my Government that the outcome of the third Session of
the Commission should have a decisive impact on the deliberations
of this meeting?
During the third Session, we as Ministers and social partners
deliberated on issues pertaining to, amongst others:
* The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
* Outcome of the Extraordinary Summit on Employment and Poverty
Alleviation in Africa
* The Draft Social Policy Framework for Africa
* The Draft Strategy Framework for a Policy on Migration in
Africa
Since then, the Bureau met twice, once on the side of the ILC in
2005 and again in Addis Ababa in September, when we reviewed
implementation of the decisions. Members of the Bureau also
attended the Consultative meeting on Employment and Poverty
Alleviation that was a joint initiative by the AU Commission and
the ILO, aimed at strengthening and enhancing cooperation between
the African Union Commission and the Regional Economic Communities
on the outcome of the Ouagadougou Summit of Heads of State and
Government on Employment and Poverty Alleviation.
It is my sincere hope that this session will successfully deal with
outstanding matters and move forward concretely on those currently
on our agenda. We owe it to the people of the continent to
demonstrate real implementation of the issues that we deal with in
order to change their lives.
We should also recommit ourselves to expedite the process of
implementing the decisions of the September 2004 Ouagadougou Summit
as these address the two important issues that are affecting our
continent, that is, unemployment and poverty.
Excellencies, as Ministers of Labour, together with our social
partners we need to ensure the development of policies that will
allow for investment growth in our countries. Without massive
investments in infrastructure, information and communication
technology (ICT) and other sectors, employment creation will always
remain a pipe dream that will not be achieved.
We need to develop progressive policies, in consultation with
organised labour and business as they are and will remain our
partners in the process of economic development.
In order to ensure the creation of sustainable jobs, we as Members
of the States have to find ways of working together at regional
level to harmonise our labour laws and policies. This calls for
greater involvement and cooperation with our Regional Economic
Communities.
To this end, Ministers of Labour in Southern African Development
Community (SADC) have resolved to resuscitate the Employment and
Labour Sector as one of the vehicles to achieve this cooperation.
We have already met with the SADC Executive Secretary Honourable
Salomao and agreed that the next session will be held in February
2007 at a venue that will be decided in consultation with countries
in the region during the International Labour Conference in June
2006.
It is also my sincere hope that the outcome of this fourth Session
of the Commission should have a profound impact on the
deliberations of the 95th Session (June 2006) of the International
Labour Conference.
As we know, the standard setting activities of the ILO have always
been the cornerstone of its activities. They continue to inspire
the domestic, social and labour legislation in many of our
countries.
Let us also not forget, that the role of the social partners is
essential, as they can assist by ensuring that the implementation
of standards are actively pursued by Government through continuous
tripartite consultations fostering an open and productive
relationship between Government and its social partners. Standards
can only become realistic and appropriate to actual working
conditions and requirements if social partners are prepared to work
together to create a better working environment. Among the
important matters for debate are: the Employment Relationship, the
Role of the ILO in Technical Cooperation and a Promotional
Framework for Occupational Safety and Health.
Allow me to conclude these remarks by emphasising the need for
Africa to speak with one voice and a common African position at the
forthcoming International Labour Conference. These meetings present
us with a unique opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue and
discussion on issues at hand.
The Labour and Social Affairs Commission as headed by Advocate
Gawanas, has a huge responsibility to all member states and it is
my view that there is a great need to develop the capacity of the
Commission.
This could be done through the deployment, by member states of
additional and skilled personnel to the Commission. This would go a
long way in ensuring that the Commission is able to deliver
effectively on its mandate.
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates Allow me to express my
gratitude to the Commissioner, the Bureau, and also to the Members
of the Commission for their work and efforts in preparing this
session of the Commission. I wish you success in the deliberations.
I firmly believe that this session will be fruitful and will
reflect the goals, ambitions, and efforts of this African
Tripartite Body.
Map
