Conference, Geneva, Switzerland, by the Minister of Labour, MMS Mdladlana,
MP
5 June 2006,
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 societyâs 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 Unionâs
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 worldâs 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-Generalâs 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 thereâs
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
