Date: 29/07/2003
Source: Department of Labour
Title: Mdladlana: Official visit to Cuba


SPEECH FOR THE OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CUBA BY THE MINISTER OF LABOUR, MINISTER MMS MDLADLANA, 29 - 31 July 2003

Excellency, Minister Morales
Friends, brothers and sisters

It is always an honour to come home. I am happy to be back in your country, Cuba, and this surely affirms the longstanding relations between our countries.

This visit takes place against the background of excellent bilateral relations between our two countries, premised on the historic engagement between the Cuban Government and the South African liberation movements during the anti-apartheid struggle. One can never emphasise more on your inspiration of taking our struggle against apartheid as your own and we really thank you.

During my last visit in 2000, I indicated that when the ANC Government came to power in 1994, it inherited a labour market characterised by chronic unemployment, adversarial labour relations, racially skewed earnings and lack of skills amongst workers, especially Africans. We also found a labour market regulatory framework that was fragmented with little to enhance efficiency and employment. We rose to the challenge to embark on a programme to transform this labour market, to ensure that it met the needs of a competitive and equitable economy and I believe we have succeeded.

Minister, during the same visit, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining specific areas of cooperation. Let me hasten to say that although we cannot claim much success, our cooperation and support for each other at the ILO is a good indicator of little progress made. In the Memorandum, we agreed to exchange information and documentation as well as holding mutual workshops and exchange programmes.

In the era of globalisation, cooperation is the engine that brings nations closer and I believe our two countries would need to strengthen the already existing relations, particularly with regards to employment promotion policies. I am keen to understand the steps you are implementing to promote an active employment policy and the aim to reduce unemployment levels. I hope we will also have an opportunity to share experiences with regard to social security, which I understand covers 100% of workers in Cuba.

For us to be able to achieve sustainable results out of this relationship will require hard work and much dedication but certainly this meeting is a giant step in this significant journey, for it is Cuba who taught us that " A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step". I think it is time that we move from rhetoric to action and in this regard I would like to propose that we give our officials an opportunity to exchange ideas, knowledge and experiences as captured in our agreement.

Minister, let me take this opportunity to invite you and officials from your Ministry to South Africa during November after the ILO Governing Body meeting. My Ministry is willing to host your delegation for a workshop that will operationalise our agreement and we also endeavour to offer you an opportunity to experience the best that South Africa can offer.

Minister, we are here today because you have been with us through our Long Walk to Freedom. The bigger challenge for us is that of ensuring that Africa is pulled out of the ravaging poverty and creating a better life for all, we hope this partnership will ensure that we achieve our goals.

I thank you

Source: Department of Labour (http://www.labour.gov.za)