14th African Regional Meeting

International Labour Standards, Social Dialogue and Gender Equality in the Realization of Decent Work Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals



Panelists

Mohamed Trabelsi
President of the National Social Dialogue Council (CNDS), and Minister of Social Affairs of Tunisia

Thokozile Ruzvidzo
Director, Social Development Policy Division, UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)

Evance Kalula
University of Cape Town and first African Chair of the ILO Governing Body Committee on Freedom of Association

Kaizer Moyane
Chair Social Policy Standing Committee, Business Unity South Africa

Fatna Afid
President of Association Femmes pour l'Égalité et la Démocratie, Morocco

Moderator

Tatiana Mossot

Overview

The ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work emphasized the fundamental importance of international labour standards for the ILO and its Member States; they need to respond the changing patterns of the world of work, protect workers and take into account the need of enterprises and be the subject of authoritative and effective supervision. At the same time it underlined the role of social dialogue, including collective bargaining and tripartite cooperation, and the essential foundation they provide for ILO action and successful policy and decision making in member States. The Declaration also emphasized the importance of achieving gender equality at work through a transformative agenda, with regular evaluation of progress made.

Against this backdrop, this session invites the panelists to discuss and share their perspectives on the contribution of international labour standards, social dialogue and gender equality to the goal of securing Decent Work for all in the future in Africa.

The panel will be addressing some of the following issues and questions:
  1. What should be the key priorities for further improving labour market governance in Africa?
  2. Where does Africa need to prioritize efforts to improve gender equality in the world of work? Do we have some good practices to share?
  3. What is needed to build tripartite engagement in social dialogue institutions throughout Africa that are truly effective and inclusive, ensuring the interests and aspirations of both women and men are addressed? How should the capacities of the tripartite constituents be reinforced in the context of the 2030 Agenda and the repositioned UN development system?
  4. What scope is there for member States to review their commitments regarding the ratification of international labour standards in light of the changing patterns of the world of work, for the protection of workers and taking into account the needs of sustainable enterprises?