ALGIERS/TUNIS (ILO News) – The Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Guy Ryder, participated on 29 March in Tunis, to the opening of the National Dialogue on Employment in the presence of the Head of State, H.E. Mr Habib Essid and the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Ban Ki-moon.
"The creation of quality jobs requires the implementation of macroeconomic policies and adequate investments, as well as putting in place sectoral approaches and promoting skills development," Guy Ryder said by stressing the importance of establishing a comprehensive policy development, especially in inland regions to reduce unemployment.
Mr Ryder also underscored the urgent need to introduce effective employment policies including youth entrepreneurship and the social economy, which offer real alternatives.
The ILO DG welcomed the opportunity for his organisation to work on the World Bank’s announcement of some 5 billion USD to be made soon available to Tunisia in order to boost employment over a period of five years.
Mr Ryder, who was reacting positively to World Bank’s President Jim Yong Kim announcement, also underlined that the ILO had allocated a budget of 14 million USD to boost the employment sector in Tunisia.
Furthermore, Ryder highlighted that Tunisia and the social partners were present at his invitation to take part in a tripartite consultation on "Commitment to the value of work and institutionalizing social dialogue for a better future of work".
The first working session of the national dialogue on employment was dedicated to the presentation of the main results of the process.
The Secretary General of the UN, Mr Ban Ki-moon emphasised the important role trade unions and the private sector can provide in creating job opportunities for young Tunisians.
The Head of the Tunisian government, Mr Habib Essid, focused on the recommendations of the national dialogue on employment and the importance of the realization of the social contract and the implementation of policies to develop "decent jobs" especially in disadvantaged areas.
During his official visit, Mr Guy Ryder also had bilateral meetings with the highest authorities of the country, including the President of the Republic, H.E. Beji Caid Essebsi, to whom he reiterated ILO’s readiness to support Tunisia's efforts to solve the unemployment crisis.
Ryder also met with the Tunisian Head of the Government, H.E. Mr Habib Essid and H.E. Mr Mohamed Ennaceur, Speaker of the House of People's Representatives.
The visit of the ILO Director-General in Tunis was part of the ongoing dialogue with the tripartite constituents and the strengthening of cooperation with ILO Member States.
