Date: 05/06/2006
Source: Department of Labour
Title: Mdladlana: International Labour Conference
Speech at the 95th Session of the International Labour Conference, Geneva, Switzerland, by the Minister of Labour, MMS Mdladlana, MP
Mr President,
The Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO),
Ministers,
Heads of delegations of respective members States of this august body,
Ladies and gentlemen,
We have long observed that employment plays a critical role in the full realisation of individuals and societies. Whilst employment can further social integration and society’s cohesion, it can also lead to exclusion by limiting access to jobs, by the provision of income too low to satisfy basic human and social needs, thus fomenting submission and marginalisation. These are individuals who become rich in poverty. Poverty dramatically illuminated by the scenes in which human dignity is crushed by the need simply to survive as catalysed in the Spanish enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta, the European Union’s only land border with Africa.
Mr. President, statistics can be very cold and inhuman, but the stark horror of what they mean cannot be ignored. The report on changing patterns in the world of work shows that whilst poverty is unevenly distributed across the globe, in 2005 around two-thirds, that is, 3 billion of the 4.6 billion people of working age were either working or looking for work with 84% of these live in developing countries. In Sub-Saharan Africa, about 47-52% of the population is estimated to be living beneath the poverty threshold. This indicates that Africa entered the 21st century as the world’s poorest, most indebted and marginalized region lagging behind in new technologies. In short, decent work deficits abound.
The report also reflects that progress is painfully slow in creating decent work opportunities for all. And yet there is hope, despite the daunting statistics, we believe that the poverty challenge is not insurmountable. The ILO cannot afford to remain an uncommitted and disinterested spectator in a world in which for many workers life at work still presents serious deficit. It is with this acknowledgement that I welcome the Director-General’s report on the changing patterns of work and the need for us to enlarge and deepen our knowledge. It is indeed true that we need to have a good understanding of how the world of work is changing and could be shaped to answer the worldwide popular demand for decent work.
Mr. President, one can go as far as arguing that this report is mirrored within the South African labour market. The workplace in South Africa is being restructured under the impact of globalisation and its own transition from authoritarianism to democracy. In fact, the most significant challenge facing the workplace has been the transition from a domestically orientated economy to a globally integrated one.
Work restructuring resulted in a labour market that is fragmented and a work order that is increasingly differentiated into different zones which consist of core formal sector workers enjoying full time work and benefits, non-core formal sector workers who are employed in a-typical forms of work and those workers at the periphery who make a living through informal sector activities. Invariably the most vulnerable in the labour market, mostly black and concentrated in occupations and sectors considered to low skilled are the ones who are forced to work below legislated standards.
A decent formal sector job remains the greatest source of income and security. The South African government there for supports the notion that any intervention to address changes in the labour market should be mindful of and consistent with the decent work agenda. As the South African government, we are presently engaging in an auditing of the effectiveness of the labour laws, its implementation and enforcement. However, this is done within the context of the decent work agenda which strive to give people a fair chance at real opportunities through education, health, shelter and a decent job.
Translating the goal of decent work within the South African context stretch beyond the ability of the state as custodian of the labour laws. We are oblivious of the fact that it will take the concerted effort of the state, its social partners, society itself and the collective knowledge and experience gained via the international community to find the right solutions.
The South African government will again, as we have done so in the past draw on the ILO expertise and international best practice to find amicable solutions to the present labour market debates.
Mr President, during the debate on the ILO programme implementation 2004-5 at the March Governing Body, South Africa welcomed the reflected achievements and challenges. We questioned in our deliberations whether the goal we have set for ourselves is being achieved, that is, does our voice makes sense and whether our message is heard? Our conclusion was positive. Today, we no longer speak of decent work as an ILO strategic development intervention on social policy but as a global strategic developmental intervention on economic and social policy initiatives.
We remain heartened that employment and social protection remained the backbone of ILO activity for Africa and we appreciate the continuing support by the Office in advising the constituencies in member states and appreciate the ambitious plans being implemented in Iraq. It is our belief that where there’s HOPE there is a way. The death of hope will be the demise of humankind. I believe Mr President, the Decent Work Country Programmes, our main operational means of achieving the Global Decent Work Agenda ushers in a new Age of Hope. In concluding chairperson, let me take this opportunity to thank the DG on the report he presented which clearly describes the situation of the Occupied Arab Territories. We should remain critical to those deliberately blind to the fat facts starring them in the eye that the rights of Palestinian workers and their families constitute one of the essential steps on the path towards socio-economic development, security, peace and enhanced freedom in the occupied Arab territories.
We should emphasise that people can no longer intellectually shrug of the oppression, the cruelty, the injustice of the occupation as though it were a careless trifle. The truth is total unemployment rate amounts to an estimated 40% of the labour force, and this should be of major concern to all of us.
We nonetheless welcome the withdrawal of the Israeli presence in the Gaza strip and the 15 November 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access which has the potential to ease the situation of workers. One can also not overemphasise the role played by social dialogue in ensuring that lasting peace and social dialogue is achieved.
It is very important for capacities of social partners to be strengthened for them to be able to engage through dialogue and negotiate to achieve social dialogue and lasting peace.
I thank you
Issued by: Department of Labour
5 June 2006
Source: Department of Labour
Title: Mdladlana: International Labour Conference
Speech at the 95th Session of the International Labour Conference, Geneva, Switzerland, by the Minister of Labour, MMS Mdladlana, MP
Mr President,
The Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO),
Ministers,
Heads of delegations of respective members States of this august body,
Ladies and gentlemen,
We have long observed that employment plays a critical role in the full realisation of individuals and societies. Whilst employment can further social integration and society’s cohesion, it can also lead to exclusion by limiting access to jobs, by the provision of income too low to satisfy basic human and social needs, thus fomenting submission and marginalisation. These are individuals who become rich in poverty. Poverty dramatically illuminated by the scenes in which human dignity is crushed by the need simply to survive as catalysed in the Spanish enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta, the European Union’s only land border with Africa.
Mr. President, statistics can be very cold and inhuman, but the stark horror of what they mean cannot be ignored. The report on changing patterns in the world of work shows that whilst poverty is unevenly distributed across the globe, in 2005 around two-thirds, that is, 3 billion of the 4.6 billion people of working age were either working or looking for work with 84% of these live in developing countries. In Sub-Saharan Africa, about 47-52% of the population is estimated to be living beneath the poverty threshold. This indicates that Africa entered the 21st century as the world’s poorest, most indebted and marginalized region lagging behind in new technologies. In short, decent work deficits abound.
The report also reflects that progress is painfully slow in creating decent work opportunities for all. And yet there is hope, despite the daunting statistics, we believe that the poverty challenge is not insurmountable. The ILO cannot afford to remain an uncommitted and disinterested spectator in a world in which for many workers life at work still presents serious deficit. It is with this acknowledgement that I welcome the Director-General’s report on the changing patterns of work and the need for us to enlarge and deepen our knowledge. It is indeed true that we need to have a good understanding of how the world of work is changing and could be shaped to answer the worldwide popular demand for decent work.
Mr. President, one can go as far as arguing that this report is mirrored within the South African labour market. The workplace in South Africa is being restructured under the impact of globalisation and its own transition from authoritarianism to democracy. In fact, the most significant challenge facing the workplace has been the transition from a domestically orientated economy to a globally integrated one.
Work restructuring resulted in a labour market that is fragmented and a work order that is increasingly differentiated into different zones which consist of core formal sector workers enjoying full time work and benefits, non-core formal sector workers who are employed in a-typical forms of work and those workers at the periphery who make a living through informal sector activities. Invariably the most vulnerable in the labour market, mostly black and concentrated in occupations and sectors considered to low skilled are the ones who are forced to work below legislated standards.
A decent formal sector job remains the greatest source of income and security. The South African government there for supports the notion that any intervention to address changes in the labour market should be mindful of and consistent with the decent work agenda. As the South African government, we are presently engaging in an auditing of the effectiveness of the labour laws, its implementation and enforcement. However, this is done within the context of the decent work agenda which strive to give people a fair chance at real opportunities through education, health, shelter and a decent job.
Translating the goal of decent work within the South African context stretch beyond the ability of the state as custodian of the labour laws. We are oblivious of the fact that it will take the concerted effort of the state, its social partners, society itself and the collective knowledge and experience gained via the international community to find the right solutions.
The South African government will again, as we have done so in the past draw on the ILO expertise and international best practice to find amicable solutions to the present labour market debates.
Mr President, during the debate on the ILO programme implementation 2004-5 at the March Governing Body, South Africa welcomed the reflected achievements and challenges. We questioned in our deliberations whether the goal we have set for ourselves is being achieved, that is, does our voice makes sense and whether our message is heard? Our conclusion was positive. Today, we no longer speak of decent work as an ILO strategic development intervention on social policy but as a global strategic developmental intervention on economic and social policy initiatives.
We remain heartened that employment and social protection remained the backbone of ILO activity for Africa and we appreciate the continuing support by the Office in advising the constituencies in member states and appreciate the ambitious plans being implemented in Iraq. It is our belief that where there’s HOPE there is a way. The death of hope will be the demise of humankind. I believe Mr President, the Decent Work Country Programmes, our main operational means of achieving the Global Decent Work Agenda ushers in a new Age of Hope. In concluding chairperson, let me take this opportunity to thank the DG on the report he presented which clearly describes the situation of the Occupied Arab Territories. We should remain critical to those deliberately blind to the fat facts starring them in the eye that the rights of Palestinian workers and their families constitute one of the essential steps on the path towards socio-economic development, security, peace and enhanced freedom in the occupied Arab territories.
We should emphasise that people can no longer intellectually shrug of the oppression, the cruelty, the injustice of the occupation as though it were a careless trifle. The truth is total unemployment rate amounts to an estimated 40% of the labour force, and this should be of major concern to all of us.
We nonetheless welcome the withdrawal of the Israeli presence in the Gaza strip and the 15 November 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access which has the potential to ease the situation of workers. One can also not overemphasise the role played by social dialogue in ensuring that lasting peace and social dialogue is achieved.
It is very important for capacities of social partners to be strengthened for them to be able to engage through dialogue and negotiate to achieve social dialogue and lasting peace.
I thank you
Issued by: Department of Labour
5 June 2006
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