Presenting her opening statement at the 4th Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting (LEMM) held at Fairmont  Zimbali Resort in KwaDukuza near Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, today, (Thursday),  Minister Mildred Oliphant encouraged member states to exploit different platforms at their disposal.

“Sharing and exchanging views on regulations and policies to shape our labour markets will provide the necessary impetus towards achieving our stated objectives. The wealth of experience and expertise in the BRICS countries, gives us invaluable competitive edge and the much-needed recipe to deal with the global challenges”, Minister Mildred Oliphant told delegates.

The Minister told delegates that it is South Africa’s ambition to see BRICS Member-Countries lead in championing the global economic system that promotes inclusive growth and sustainable development, as an antidote to eliminate unemployment, poverty and inequality.

Minister Mildred Oliphant reiterated the BRICS Presidency’s identified priorities, being, Youth Employment; Gender, Equal Pay for Work of equal value; Social dialogue; Tripartism, Collective Bargaining and Social Protection, as key priority areas going forward.

“We have put forward a three-year Working Implementation Plan for 2019-2021, to guide and ensure that all commitments taken at previous Labour and Employment Ministerial Meetings, are not only implemented, but also provide tangible outcomes for our efforts”, she continued.

The Minister stressed the link between Labour and Employment track with other BRICS work streams such as finance, education, global economic realities, trade as well as science, technology and innovation. She told the delegates “these issues have been incorporated in the Draft Declaration for the Fourth Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting. It is our hope that this will lead to more concrete projects to advance the mandate of the Labour and Employment track”.

The LEMM started today and will conclude tomorrow, Friday, with the signing of the declaration by the ministers. It was preceded by the Labour and Employment Working Group which started on Monday and concluded yesterday.

For more information contact:
Teboho Thejane
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