Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Collective Voice of The Muslim World
Date: 29/10/2015
The Secretary General has emphasized the significance of giving effect to the various programmes and projects on intra-OIC cooperation on labour, employment and productivity in order to address the current challenges of unemployment, low productivity and macro-economic instability prevalent in OIC countries. This declaration was contained in the speech delivered by H.E. Iyad Ameen Madani, the Secretary General of the OIC, at the opening of the 3rd Islamic Conference of Labour Ministers (ICLM), which began its proceedings in Jakarta, Indonesia yesterday, on 29 October 2015. Reviewing the current strategies and action plans contained in OIC Framework for Cooperation on Labour, Employment and Social Protection, the Secretary General implored the Ministers and Heads of Delegation at the Conference to demonstrate ownership of this OIC Framework by reflecting them in their programmes of action and allocating adequate resources for its expeditious implementation. He also called for intra-OIC cooperation aimed at creating conducive legislative and regulatory atmosphere for employment generation, training, social security, labour and manpower exchange. While lamenting the steady increase in the average unemployment rate in OIC countries, as compared to the world average, the Secretary General invited attention to the fact that the unemployment rate in Palestine accounts for the highest unemployment rate in entire OIC community. In this regard, he attributed this unfortunate state of affairs in Palestine to the illegal occupation as well as attendant socio-economic blockade being meted out to the Palestinian people by the Israeli authorities. He therefore urged the Conference to adopt a special dispensation to facilitate better employment opportunities for youth and vulnerable segments of the Palestinian population, including supporting programmes in the area of vocational training, skill development and entrepreneurship. The 3rd ICLM is being hosted by Indonesia following the expiration of two-year chairmanship of Azerbaijan, during which actions on the elaboration of the OIC Framework for Cooperation on Labour, Employment and Social Protection as well as Draft Statute of the proposed OIC Labour Center in Baku, Azerbaijan were successfully completed. The Conference was declared open by H.E. Mr. Muhammad Yusuf Kalla, the Indonesian Vice President, with the attendance of Ministers and Heads of Delegation from 35 OIC Member States and a host of invited guests representing OIC Observer States, regional and international organizations. The Conference is expected to adopt a resolution and a Jakarta Declaration, containing the roadmap for intra-OIC cooperation in the area of labour, employment and social protection during the next biennium.
