ILO discusses path towards the creation of decent jobs in Africa before the European Parliament
At an EU Parliamentary meeting, the ILO reflected on various aspects that are important for the creation of stable and high-quality jobs in the EU and Africa, and cited growing informality as the greatest threat to decent work, particularly in Africa.
Cynthia Samuel-Olonjuwon, ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Africa, addressed a meeting in the European Parliament, entitled EU - Africa: facing social and economic challenges together on 15 June. The meeting was jointly organized by the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and the Delegation for relations with the Pan-African Parliament.
In her statement, Ms Samuel-Olonjuwon reflected on various aspects that are important for the creation of stable and high-quality jobs in both regions, and cited growing informality as the greatest threat to decent work, particularly in Africa.
Only a very small proportion of the jobs in Africa are in the formal economy, and most jobs have huge decent work deficits resulting in extreme working poverty. “The problem of informality has to be addressed as a key aspect of creating quality jobs, taking into account the ILO Recommendation on the Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy,” said the Regional Director.
Africa’s social protection systems are poorly developed and only 17.4 percent of workers are covered by at least one social protection benefit. Workers in the informal economy are often excluded from even the most basic form of social protection. “Without social protection, quality jobs remains a mirage. The ILO strategy on social protection in Africa is to more than double social protection coverage to 40% by 2025,” said Ms Samuel-Olonjuwon.
The Regional Director welcomed the commitment by the EU to support the creation of decent jobs for young men and women in Africa. She also highlighted the ILO strategy to promote the transition from informality in Africa, which puts an emphasis on informal enterprises and informal workers: the self-employed, and contributing family workers.
The ratification and implementation of international labour standards is another pathway to job quality and stability. Africa is very close to achieving a universal ratification of the eight ILO Fundamental Conventions. Yet, their implementation remains a key concern. The ILO has initiated a promotional campaign to ensure the ratification and implementation of these Conventions, with a strong focus on those that promote gender equality.
Ms Samuel-Olonjuwon applauded the existing cooperation between the ILO and the European Commission in this area, which targets joint research and projects which support the implementation of the international labour standards.
The meeting was timely, as the ILO and the African Union Commission have just finalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which is anchored on a three-year implementation plan to support the African Union’s decent work outcomes. The ILO has also finalized an MoU with the Pan-African Parliament - accompanied by a joint work programme that addresses labour migration governance, social protection, the informal economy, gender equality, rights at work, and employment promotion.
In her statement, Ms Samuel-Olonjuwon reflected on various aspects that are important for the creation of stable and high-quality jobs in both regions, and cited growing informality as the greatest threat to decent work, particularly in Africa.
Only a very small proportion of the jobs in Africa are in the formal economy, and most jobs have huge decent work deficits resulting in extreme working poverty. “The problem of informality has to be addressed as a key aspect of creating quality jobs, taking into account the ILO Recommendation on the Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy,” said the Regional Director.
“With a very youthful population, Africa has the potential for demographic dividends to promote the development of the continent as well as become a global asset,” she said. “It is particularly disturbing that youth employment is largely informal; accounting for more than 90% of these jobs. Not only does this drive young Africans into working poverty, it fuels irregular migration, radicalisation as well as crises and conflicts within the continent and beyond.”
The Regional Director welcomed the commitment by the EU to support the creation of decent jobs for young men and women in Africa. She also highlighted the ILO strategy to promote the transition from informality in Africa, which puts an emphasis on informal enterprises and informal workers: the self-employed, and contributing family workers.
The ratification and implementation of international labour standards is another pathway to job quality and stability. Africa is very close to achieving a universal ratification of the eight ILO Fundamental Conventions. Yet, their implementation remains a key concern. The ILO has initiated a promotional campaign to ensure the ratification and implementation of these Conventions, with a strong focus on those that promote gender equality.
Ms Samuel-Olonjuwon applauded the existing cooperation between the ILO and the European Commission in this area, which targets joint research and projects which support the implementation of the international labour standards.
The meeting was timely, as the ILO and the African Union Commission have just finalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which is anchored on a three-year implementation plan to support the African Union’s decent work outcomes. The ILO has also finalized an MoU with the Pan-African Parliament - accompanied by a joint work programme that addresses labour migration governance, social protection, the informal economy, gender equality, rights at work, and employment promotion.