SINGAPORE
\nSingapore President Halimah Yacob and International Labour Organization (ILO) Director General (DG) Gilbert Houngbo opened the ILO\u2019s 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) in Singapore on Wednesday, highlighting the need for inclusive growth as the regions build back from the COVID-19 pandemic.
\nRunning from 6-9 December, the APRM is discussing issues affecting employment and the world of work in Asia, the Pacific and Arab States. The conclusions will help shape the direction of national labour and employment policies as well as the ILO\u2018s work in both regions going forward.
\nMore than 500 delegates are taking part (including 19 ministers and vice ministers) representing governments, workers\u2019 and employers\u2019 organisations from 33 of the region\u2019s 48 member countries.
\n\u201cThe Regional Meeting provides us a platform to unite in dialogue to navigate the uncertainties that lie ahead of us,\u201d President Halimah Yacob told delegates. \u201cThe pandemic and recent economic upheavals have given us another opportunity to rethink our growth model. The ILO plays a critical role in ensuring a fairer and more inclusive growth model where everyone has a stake,\u201d the President said.
\nAddressing delegates at the opening session, ILO DG Houngbo highlighted how the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with political, economic and climate crises had pushed social progress backwards.
\n\u201cMore than ever, workers are getting by on informal work, in jobs that provide little in the way of protection and security. We are now living under circumstances when labour standards, employment policies and social protection matter more than ever,\u201d Mr Houngbo said.
\n\u201cWe want everyone to be able to share equally in the benefits of future, human-centred growth,\u201d he added.
\nLabour markets in Asia-Pacific and Arab States have recorded a partial rebound from the impact of COVID-19 yet with conditions expected to remain difficult into 2023 prospects for investment, growth and full labour market recovery remain elusive.
\nDG Houngbo highlighted that even without the considerable impact of the COVID pandemic, structural weaknesses within the Asia-Pacific and Arab States labour markets hampered decent and equitable job growth.
\nLimited progress on gender equality, the lack of social protection coverage for large parts of the population, stagnant labour productivity, high youth unemployment rates and persistently high levels of informality were all identified as major issues facing both regions.
\n\u201cThese underlying weaknesses need to be tackled if we are to deliver social justice and decent work,\u201d Mr Houngbo said.
\n\u201cWith effective pro-employment policies, more social protection, a respect for labour rights, constructive social dialogue and an enabling business environment, countries can equip themselves to benefit from the future of work,\u201d he added.
\nThe ILO DG also stressed the importance of well-functioning labour market institutions.
\n\u201cWe saw during the pandemic response how the countries that had stronger labour market institutions were able to counteract some of the crisis shocks more efficiently and effectively,\u201d he said.
\nHowever, the DG recognised the challenges faced by ILO member countries to commit more resources during the current economic climate.
\n\u201cIt is not an easy task to scale up action toward the ILO\u2019s decent work and social justice mandate. To advance through these turbulent times, we need to heighten our partnership with the multilateral system and work together through a Social Justice Coalition,\u201d he added.
\nAPRM Delegates elected Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower of Singapore to Chair the APRM. Ms Arti Ahuja, Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Labour and Employment became the Vice Chair representing government delegates, Mr Robert Yap, President Singapore National Employers Federation was elected as Vice Chair representing employers, and Ms Mary Liew, President of the National Trades Union Congress, Vice Chair for workers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SINGAPORE Singapore President Halimah Yacob and International Labour Organization (ILO) Director General (DG) Gilbert Houngbo opened the ILO\u2019s 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) in Singapore on Wednesday, highlighting the need for inclusive growth as the regions build back from the COVID-19 pandemic. Running from 6-9 December, the APRM is discussing issues affecting […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":299948,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-299919","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n