Shamenda attends 102nd ILO conference
Geneva, June 14, 2013, ZANIS–Labour and Social Security Minister Fackson Shamenda has appealed to the international community to secure additional financial resources for disbursement to developing countries.
He says this is in order to mitigate challenges such as climate change taking into account tripartism, transparency and accountability.
Addressing the 102nd session of the International Labour Organisation –ILO conference in Geneva yesterday, Mr. Shamenda said there was need to scale up implementation of affordable and sustainable technology for capacity building programmes.
He said Zambia had partnered with the ILO and IMF on programmes aimed at promoting employment for inclusive growth.
Mr. Shamenda further stated that Zambia has incorporated social protection as a poverty reduction strategy in the Sixth National Development Plan for the period of 20 to 2015.
He said a technical team has already been put in place to spearhead social security reforms including extension of coverage to the informal economy.
Mr. Shamenda said social health insurance schemes will also be used to address the dual problem of inadequate finances to the health sector.
The Labour Minister also revealed that his ministry had reached an advanced stage in overhauling the outdated labour laws.
Mr. Shamenda said government was consulting with social partners to ensure that the final product meets the general expectations.
He also said government has paid attention in ensuring gender balance as regards recruitment of women with most key positions filled by women.
At the same meeting, Zimbabwean Labour and Social Services Minister Parina Mpariwa said ILO has been in the forefront of ensuring that the rights of workers are up held.
Ms. Mpariwa also said there was need for multilateral coherence as the world plans for the future.
The Zambian tripartite delegation to 102nd International Labour Conference is being led by Labour and Social Security Minister Mr. Fackson Shamenda.
It consists of senior officials, trade union leaders and employers’ representatives, who are also participating in the conference.
This year’s theme is on building a future with decent work.
The agenda for this year’s ILC include topics on employment and social protection in the new demographic context and sustainable development, decent work and green jobs.
The Conference which started on the 5th of June will end on June 20, 2013.