Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work Programme South Africa
The ILO supports BRICS discussion on Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work
In May, the ILO participated in the second meeting of the BRICS Employment Working Group under the South African Presidency to explore the bidirectional relationship between productivity growth and decent job creation.
12 May 2023
PORT ALFRED, SOUTH AFRICA (ILO News) - On 9-12 May, the ILO joined the second meeting of the BRICS Employment Working Group to continue the dialogue on productivity and decent job creation, following an exploratory discussion on the topic that took place when the group first met in February this year. During the meeting, which was held in Port Alfred, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, the ILO presented a concept note for a BRICS-wide programme on Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work, as requested by South Africa.
Ms Boitumelo Moloi, South African Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, stated, “Our proposal for a BRICS-wide Productivity Ecosystem for Decent Work is a major step in solidifying our Partnership in the sphere of labour and employment. I am pleased to share that the suggestion has overwhelming support from the BRICS Member Countries.”
Mr Siyabonga Hadebe, South African Labour Attaché based in Geneva, said the time had come for BRICS Member States to work as a block to achieve their common goals to boost economic growth among themselves and thereby change the geopolitical landscape, “We are saying there is a dire need to intensify this relationship, with the ecosystem being a classic step.”
From the ILO, Mr Jens Dyring Christensen, Senior Enterprise Development Specialist for Southern and East Africa, presented the concept note and highlighted the importance of a Productivity Ecosystems programme tailored to each country, which could also help facilitate the expansion of inter-BRICS trade.
Mr Nii Moi Thompson, ILO Project Manager for the Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work South Africa Project highlighted the project’s ongoing work to support the development of the new National Employment Policy, which ultimately will stimulate demand for labour and create a more enabling business environment.
The discussion on Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work will continue in the Labour and Employment Ministers' Meeting in September 2023.
For more about the ILO’s involvement with the BRICS group, please see here.
Ms Boitumelo Moloi, South African Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, stated, “Our proposal for a BRICS-wide Productivity Ecosystem for Decent Work is a major step in solidifying our Partnership in the sphere of labour and employment. I am pleased to share that the suggestion has overwhelming support from the BRICS Member Countries.”
Mr Siyabonga Hadebe, South African Labour Attaché based in Geneva, said the time had come for BRICS Member States to work as a block to achieve their common goals to boost economic growth among themselves and thereby change the geopolitical landscape, “We are saying there is a dire need to intensify this relationship, with the ecosystem being a classic step.”
From the ILO, Mr Jens Dyring Christensen, Senior Enterprise Development Specialist for Southern and East Africa, presented the concept note and highlighted the importance of a Productivity Ecosystems programme tailored to each country, which could also help facilitate the expansion of inter-BRICS trade.
Mr Nii Moi Thompson, ILO Project Manager for the Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work South Africa Project highlighted the project’s ongoing work to support the development of the new National Employment Policy, which ultimately will stimulate demand for labour and create a more enabling business environment.
The discussion on Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work will continue in the Labour and Employment Ministers' Meeting in September 2023.
About BRICS
BRICS is a grouping acronym referring to the countries of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa, representing 42 per cent of the world’s population and more than one quarter of the global GDP.For more about the ILO’s involvement with the BRICS group, please see here.