South Africa welcomes the first visit of the newly appointed ILO Director-General
The Department of Employment and Labour Minister, Mr TW Nxesi, welcomes the first visit of the newly appointed Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Mr Gilbert Houngbo.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) office in Pretoria, earlier today hosted a media briefing which was addressed by Minister Nxesi and Mr Houngbo.
On behalf of the South African Government, Minister Nxesi, has given a warm welcome and engaging in dialogues with the ILO DG, who took office in March 2022 and becoming the first African to hold the position in the only tripartite UN agency.
“Mr Houngbo has spent more than 35 years working to improve the lives of the world’s most vulnerable people, using his extensive experience in political affairs, international development, diplomacy and financial management,” said Minister Nxesi.
Minister Nxesi said that South Africa has been an active participant in the organisation's work and has also played a leadership role in advancing the ILO's agenda on social justice and decent work and has contributed to the development of new ILO standards and policies through its participation in ILO conferences and committees.
“He (Mr Houngbo) has made the visit to South Africa his priority as we have a long standing cooperation and support of the ILO since our readmission to that body in 1994. South Africa also supported his candidature, as the first African ILO DG since its establishment in 1919,” said Mr Nxesi.
The Minister said that the ILO DG has shared his vision for his term of office with him, which he themed the: “Global Coalition for Social Justice”.
“He has also expressed his wish to have partnerships established with the South African government and NEDLAC Social Partners in furthering his vision. We wish the ILO DG well in his term of office and reiterate our support in furthering his vision of a Global Coalition for Social Justice,” said Minister Nxesi.
Mr Houngbo will also be meeting with his Excellency, President Ramaphosa this afternoon to present his vision as well as report on his visit and several meetings that he held since his arrival on Sunday, 02 April 2023.
At the top of the agenda of the discussions being held during this visit, is the ILO’s push for measures to prioritize social justice – including the reduction of inequalities - in national and global policymaking.
For more information, contact:
Teboho Thejane - Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 082 697 0694
Email: Teboho.Thejane@labour.gov.za
