Growth must lead to social inclusion, says Peru’s President

GENEVA (ILO News) – Peru’s President Ollanta Humala told delegates at the International Labour Conference that economic growth, which the South American country is enjoying, must lead to social development.

"There’s no point having macroeconomic figures in the black if they don’t translate into success stories – children who don’t work but study and play, health centres with medicine for all, faces of satisfaction, concrete opportunities...," Humala said.

He pointed out that Peru’s economy has become "one of the most dynamic and stable in the region, with annual growth of 6 per cent".

There’s no point having macroeconomic figures in the black if they don’t translate into success stories." Ollanta Humala

Peru has become attractive to investors "which means we must develop mechanisms that promote the creation of decent work, social security and better income for all Peruvians," Humala told the delegates.

ILO Director-General Juan Somavia, for his part, hailed Peru for what he said was a "major effort to demonstrate that economic growth and social development are not incompatible, but are in fact complementary".