Geneva: It is important for South-South countries (South Africa, Brazil and India) to co-operate in promoting a job-intensive economic recovery and create a framework for sustainable growth. This is critical as it would promote exchange of experiences and be used as an engine of economic growth as well as a co-ordinated response to global economic crises.
This is the commitment made by the Minister of Labour Mildred Oliphant, Ministers of Labour and Employment from India and Brazil, Mr Malikarjun Kharge and Carlos Brizola Neto respectively as part of the declaration signed today on the side-lines of the 101st International Labour Conference in Geneva.
Minister Oliphant said the signing was a sequel to the heads of state meeting which promised closer ties on employment creation and economic growth. This position is in line with South Africa’s macro-economic outlook, as well as international relations policy framework.
“It is important for these countries to form partnerships in addressing the challenges of employment and economic growth we all face and through mutual cooperation, promotion of dialogue and best practices,” she said.
South Africa in 2009, adopted a framework for a response to the global economic crises in consultation with social partners. This constituted a package of measures to limit the impact of the crisis and included: investment in infrastructure, macro-economic policy responses, industrial and trade policy measures, employment measures including training and skills development and social measures.
“We are implementing the Decent Work Country programme, giving effect to the ILO Declaration on Fundamental principles and rights at work and the Declaration on Social Justice for a fair Globalisation, in full partnership with our social partners through the process of social dialogue,” Oliphant said.
Minister Neto of Brazil said the declaration means better dialogue between the three countries on issues of decent work.
Indian Minister invoked the spirit of Mahatma Ghandi as the founding chord of the co-operation between the countries and said that the fact that we face the same challenges means that South-South countries have much to learn from each other.
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South Africa, Brazil and India labour Ministers sign co-operation pact on employment creation
