By Sulaiman Jalloh
In continuity of its vision, the African Regional Labour Administration Centre (ARLAC) on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at the Atlantic Hotel in Freetown, Sierra Leone held an important meeting which marked a significant move in accomplishing its vision and mandate in the African region since its inception, forty-nine (49) years ago.
Delivering the keynote, Hon. Rebecca Yei Sam, Chairperson Committee on Employment Labour and Social Security Sierra Leone House Parliament whiles thanking the senior officials of government in African urged member countries to engage in a constructive dialogue emphasizing the need to respect the labour workforce in the region. She reflected on the formation of ARLAC and the impact it has created over the years.
According to the Law marker, Africa is a continent that is rich in diversity, culture, and potential, noting the labour force is a driving force behind economic growth, social development, and sustainable progress emphasizing that as representatives of labour administration bodies from various countries in the region, they hold a crucial responsibility in ensuring the well-being, rights, and interests of workers are protected and promoted.
“This year’s meeting underscores the importance of creating an enabling environment for workers to thrive while contributing to the growth and resilience of our economies. As we navigate through the challenges posed by what is happening in some parts of Africa and the world, it is imperative that we adapt our labour administration strategies to address emerging issues, such as remote work, occupational safety, and social protection” she underscored. Hon. Rebecca Yei Sam however, expressed confidently that their collective efforts and dedication will lead to positive outcomes, benefiting not only the labour force but also societies as a whole. “Let us seize this opportunity to make a difference and shape a brighter tomorrow for Africa. Let me inform you to find time to go around our capital, as there are countless” she urged.
Outgoing chairperson of ARLAC, Mr. Moshe Mosaase, Principal Secretary, Ministry Labour and Employment Lesotho congratulated the incoming chairperson while thanking the government of Sierra Leone for hosting this year’s ARLAC senior officials’ meeting.
“Senior government officials, I am well aware of the unique challenges of the Ministries we lead in our countries, a high level of youth unemployment, austerity cuts and budgets that undermine our labour administration efforts and weaken institutions, insufficient cooperation with social partners etc. I appeal to all of us to support the incoming chair and ARLAC as a strategic institution for assisting us in addressing these challenges I have just mentioned” he narrated
Joseph T. Kanu, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security Sierra Leone who assumed the chairperson-ship of ARLAC thanked the outgoing chairperson while promising to accomplishing all the strategic plans he had drafted, noting that the government of Sierra Leone is proud to have hosted this year’s meeting of the senior officials of African countries.
Executive Director of the African Regional Labour Administration Center, Retselisitsoe Khetsi started by congratulating Sierra Leone for hosting the 24th annual meeting, noting the Pan African Productivity Association (PAPA) has also shown a strong interest to collaborate with ARLAC something he said will show their commitment to participated as facilitators in the recently completed Regular Budget Technical Cooperation workshop on “Strategies to Achieve Decent Work and Improve Productivity in Enterprises” while recalling the strategic plans for 2024-2029 which is their blueprint for the next five years. He informed the attendees that the implementation has commenced in earnest while highlighting some snapshot of some of the activities they have undertaken so far.
“I wish to bring and highlight that to factor in the issue of aligning the Policies to the Constitution, we may have to revisit the Constitution soonest. There is nothing wrong with that PSs, it happens all the time even in our own countries/ constituencies, The reason being to make it an enabler instead of an inhibitor of progress. In this regard, the Secretariat would count on your usual support” he maintained
Also speaking was the International Labour Migration (ILO) representative, Philile who underscored her organization’s commitment as a partner to ARLAC while they contribute to the Sustainable development in changing the World. According to her, there are about twenty percent (20%) of young people across the World that are not employed. She commended members state counties for coming together within the region.
