ADDIS ABABA, Dec 5 (AFP) - The 10th Regional International Labour Organisation (ILO) conference ended in Addis Ababa on Friday with a call to all its members to join hands to improve working conditions in their respective countries to sustain development and economic growth in Africa.
"African countries should make full use of the unique tripartite structure of the ILO to ensure effective participation of social partners to... help improve work conditions in the continent," an ILO resolution issued at the end of the four-day parley said Friday.
The tripartite structure comprises employers, workers and their representatives and governments and their partners -- the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), UN Development Programme (UNDP) and ILO.
The resolution recognised the role agriculture and related rural industries have in fostering decent work opportunities in Africa.
"Employment of intensive infrastructure was also identified as having proven track records in reducing poverty while also providing quality services to poor communities, factors African countries have to work to achieve," the resolution added.
Delegates also expressed concern over continued the rise in HIV/AIDS that is sapping productivity and human development in many African countries.
The delegates committed themselves to intensify campaigns to arrest the spread of HIV/AIDS, introduce effective and affordable drugs and remedial treatments to end discrimination against infected people, it said.
It called on African policymakers "to introduce and formulate appropriate policies for job opportunities and conducive conditions of service that will guarantee social protection and job security."
The resolution invited ILO Governing Council to assist in national review and action plans on employing young people in Africa within the context of decent working conditions, poverty reduction and global employment.
031205
AF031258
©AFP 2003. All Rights Reserved. AFP articles contained on the AEGiS web site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without AFP's prior written permission. You may make one copy of each article for your personal, non-commercial use only; more copies would require AFP's prior written permission. obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP photos or materials. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP stories, photos or graphics. - http://www.afp.com/
AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2003. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
©1990, 2003 - AEGiS. AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.
