George: Employment and Labour Deputy Minister Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala has expressed concern over what she described as dwindling support for multilateral institutions dedicated to workers' rights.
According to South African Government News Agency, during the opening of the 4th G20 Employment Working Group (EWG) meeting, Nemadzinga-Tshabalala emphasized the critical role of collective responsibility in maintaining global labour governance. She highlighted the challenges facing the International Labour Organisation (ILO), noting that the loss of 225 jobs within the organization represents a significant blow to social justice and the protective structures for workers worldwide. This reduction in capacity, she argued, poses a threat to global efforts in navigating the future of work and promoting fair globalization.
The two-day EWG meeting, which concluded on Tuesday, will be succeeded by the Labour and Employment Ministers' Meeting from July 30-31, 2024. These meetings are taking place at Fancourt Hotel in George, Western Cape, under the theme 'Living and Working in an Unequal World: Ensuring Decent Work and Decent Lives.' This theme aligns with South Africa's G20 Presidency focus on 'Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.'
Nemadzinga-Tshabalala remarked that the meeting occurs amid significant global transitions, including geopolitical divisions and escalating trade tensions. These tensions, she noted, impact not only diplomatic relations but also have real consequences on the ground, affecting industries and workers worldwide. She cited the example of Southern Africa, where sudden tariffs imposed by a major trading partner threaten key sectors like automotive manufacturing and agriculture, creating uncertainty in communities reliant on trade.
The EWG meeting aims to lay the groundwork for the upcoming Labour and Employment Ministers' Meeting declaration. The Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring that developing nations have a fair stake in shaping global economic policies. She stated that trade policies harming developing economies contradict the principles of equality and sustainability, which require stable international cooperation.
Nemadzinga-Tshabalala urged the EWG to draft a bold declaration addressing various global challenges, including environmental, technological, and social issues, alongside geopolitical and trade disruptions. She called for a concrete blueprint advancing measurable commitments, with the Fancourt Declaration serving as a testament to the G20's commitment to a rules-based international order linking fair trade rules to stable employment.
Department of Employment and Labour Acting Director General Jacky Molisane highlighted the gathering's theme, calling for targeted and inclusive policy implementation. She noted the progress made since the first EWG meeting under South Africa's G20 Presidency, aiming to finalize the ministerial declaration and advance gender-related targets.
The G20 EWG's mandate focuses on addressing labour, employment, and social issues to promote strong, sustainable, and inclusive growth.