He told the summit: “You are an
systems, resource constraints and
to mobilise a substantial stimulus
essential part of the effort to build
pre-existing economic vulnerabili-
package to assist African coun-
back better. Together, we can
ties, the long-term impact of the
tries to rebuild their economies.
emerge from this crisis stronger,
pandemic on Africa will be severe.
with decent jobs and a brighter,
He said the African Union (AU)
“Among other things, this will enable us to invest in job creation
more equal and greener future for
developed a COVID-19 strategy
initiatives, in workplace skilling and
all.”
and, as part of that, established
reskilling and to support entrepre-
an AU COVID-19 Response Fund to
neurship and the development of
help member states fund an effec-
small businesses.”
Creating sustainable, decent work In his address to the summit, Presi-
tive response. The Africa Medical Supplies
President Ramaphosa pointed out that in the midst of the un-
dent Cyril Ramaphosa empha-
Platform was also launched, which
precedented global crisis, lies the
sised the need to protect workers
is an innovation that will enable all
seeds of opportunity to deliver
against the rising tide of unem-
countries on the continent to pro-
greater economic security, equal
ployment through universal social
cure much-needed supplies faster
opportunity and social justice
protection.
and at a more competitive price.
for those who work, for those who
“We have to invest in people's capabilities, in skills development,
“We are also engaged with international partners and institutions
have lost work and for those who are looking for work.
in lifelong learning, in workplace inclusivity and in advancing gen-
About the ILO
der equality.
As the only tripartite UN agency, ILO brings together governments,
“Above all, we have to transform our domestic policy frameworks to support the creation of decent and sustainable work.” He added that the pandemic has given added impetus to the
employers and workers of 187 member states to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all. In 2019 the ILO marked its centenary with the adoption by the International Labour Conference of the Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work. The declaration recognises that the world of work is undergoing
goal to make our workplaces
transformative change driven by technological innovation, demographic
more agile, more adaptable and
shifts, climate change and globalisation.
safer.
It also sets out a road map of action for the organisation and its con-
“As we collectively look to the
stituents to shape and direct these changes through a human-centred
future, we have an immense task
approach to the future of work in the context of the persistent poverty,
before us to rebuild our shattered
inequalities, injustices, conflict and disasters that continue to threaten
lives and economies.”
shared prosperity and decent work for all.
Focusing on the African con-
The declaration stresses the need to strengthen the capacities for all
tinent, the President noted that
people to enable them to benefit from change at work, to strengthen
so far, it recorded lower rates of
the institutions of work to ensure adequate protection for all workers,
infection than many other parts of
and to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable growth, full and
the world.
productive employment and decent work for all. – Source: www.ilo.org
“But because of weak health
Public Sector Manager • July 2020
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