Monday, May 20, 2019

ILO calls for investment in people’s capabilities for a brighter future

With technological advances changing the nature of many jobs, and leading to the need for new skills, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has pointed out the urgency to expedite the human –centred agenda for the future of work.
As part of marking its 100 years, ILO country office organised a special programme in Kathmandu  to share the key findings of the Global Commission Report, which calls for investing more in building people’s capabilities to enhance skills, reskills and upskills  for social justice and decent work. 
Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Gokarna Bista, on the occasion, said that  recommendations of the Global Commission Report on the 'Future of Work' have fittingly incorporated challenges that Nepal is facing in the labour market and expressed commitment to implemement the ILO Declaration on the future of work when it comes up.
“The government has embraced the plan to provide decent employment opportunities to all people as their constitutional right,” he said, adding that social contract will be the basis to ensure social justice to all workers. He also urged the ILO to start a global campaign to urge countries to pay equal wage for work of equal value, done abroad for migrant workers.
Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security Mahesh Prasad Dahal said that the government is making efforts to address skills mismatch in the labour market and stressed the need to address the challenges of youth population.     
Likewise, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) president Bhawani Rana said that small and medium scaled enterprises should be promoted to ensure decent employment, especially to women. "FNCCI is ready to team up with the government to promote jobs at home,” she emphasised.
Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC) president Pushkar Sharma, on the occasion, said that effective implementation of social security schemes and newly agreed minimum wage will build trust between workers and employers.
Assistant Director General of the ILO and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Tomoko Nishimoto said that the ILO is seriously considering, country by country in Asia how it can realize the concept of decent work, with much focus laid on challenges posed by climate change, shifting demographics and new technologies.
“The core issue concerning labour markets relates to the nature and portability of workforce skills and building an agile workforce for the future of work transformation,” she added.
Likewise, head of ILO Economic Analysis Unit Sara Elder presented the highlights of the report, whereas economists Dr Govind Nepal and Dr Swarnim Wagle commented on the report. They also suggested that its recommendation will be a good reference for the government, employers and workers to prepare strategies for implementation of the future of work. 

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