The ILO Pledges Support for Implementation of the Gambia Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP)

ABUJA (ILO News): The International Labour Organization (ILO) Abuja Country Office, in collaboration with its constituents in the Gambia, has launched the Gambia Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2015-2017 with a call on all stakeholders to cooperate with the Government of the Gambia to ensure the successful implementation of the DWCP.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) Abuja Country Office Director, Mr Dennis Zulu, made the call during the launch of the Gambia Decent Work Country Programme in Banjul. According to him, “the success of the implementation of the DWCP will require the collaborative effort of all the relevant stakeholders including the trade unions and employers’ organizations”. He reiterated the commitment of the ILO to work with all relevant partners to ensure the full implementation of the DWCP.

While thanking the stakeholders for their painstaking commitment to the formulation of the DWCP for the Gambia, Mr. Zulu urged them to “build a strong partnership with the government and support the effort of the government in promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth through productive employment and decent work which can be achieved through the implementation of the DWCP”.

Speaking at the launch in Banjul, the Gambian Minister of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment, Hon. Abdou Jobe, said that the DWCP was being launched at a time the world was facing a series of crises, including accelerated climate change, economic recession, and food and oil price instability which were threatening international growth and development.

According to him “Decent work sums up the aspirations of people in their working lives, opportunities and income, their rights, family stability, personal development, fairness and gender equality”, adding that a decent work situation would help reduce poverty and increase livelihoods, growth, and investments.

According to the Minister, the DWCP emanated from discussions that took place among the ILO constituents, namely, government, workers’ and employers’ representatives, and they agreed on key priorities, which are now finalised resulting in the Gambia DWCP which aims to achieve decent work imperatives. The trade Minster further stated that the constituents identified and agreed on three priority areas which include:

• Decent and productive employment for sustainable growth and poverty reduction
• Enhanced social protection, health and safety of workers at workplace and elimination of child labour, particularly in its worst form
• Enhanced Socio-economic Governance through Social Dialogue and Tripartism

In her Speech, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms. Ade Mamonyane Lekoetje, said that “the UN System in the Gambia is committed to supporting the government in generating decent work opportunities and to responding to various development challenges”. She assured that the DWCP “will be an integral part of the next United Nations Development Framework for the Gambia”.

Other notable persons at the launch included representatives from development partners, representatives from Employers and Workers Organisations, Regional Governors and senior Government Officials