ILO's APRM concludes

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

'Employment and support for decent work must be at the heart of policies for strong, sustainable, balanced growth and development to counter the consequences of global economic turmoil;' was the conclusion at the ILO's 15th Asia Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) held in Kyoto recently.

Measures to improve preparedness to deal with a deteriorating global economic situation include support for sustainable enterprises and employment-intensive investment, development of minimum wage systems, the building of effective social protection floors, promoting greener growth and green jobs, and policies to address issues relating to youth employment and labour migration. The APRM also looked at ways that employment and social policies can be applied to relieve the effects of natural disasters, to which the Asia Pacific region is particularly prone.

The meeting also hosted the Asian launch of the Bachelet Report, "Social Protection floor for a fair and inclusive globalization", presented by one of the members of the Advisory Group, Member Secretary of the Planning Commission of India Sudha Pillai.

"Building effective social protection floors, in line with national circumstances" was among the priorities identified in the APRM conclusions.

"This region has been the world's most dynamic region, economically, but we have not been getting enough jobs, decent work, from this growth," ILO Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Sachiko Yamamoto said.

"Even before the current turmoil this growth was unevenly shared and inequalities were increasing. This inequality threatens economic and social progress if it is not addressed," she added.

More than 410 delegates, representing governments, workers and employers from 38 countries attended the 15th APRM, which was opened by Prime Minister of Japan Yoshihiko Noda and ILO Director General Juan Somavia. Other keynote speakers included Timor Leste Vice Prime Minister Dr. Jose Luis Guterres, Arab Labour Organization Director General Dr Ahmed Luqman and ASEAN Secretary General Dr Surin Pitsuwan.