SIXTH BIENNIAL MEETING OF AFRICAN EMPLOYMENT PLANNERS ABIDJAN, COTE D'IVOIRE 8 - 12 FEBRUARY 1999 MAJOR CONCLUSIONS The presentations, group and plenary discussions led to the following conclusions and orientation proposals. Political stability, good governance and social consensus are prerequisites to any economic and social progress. 175. The participants discussed at length on the basic conditions of a conducive environment for development. Political and social stability, good governance, tripartism and social dialogue were unanimously considered as the sine qua non conditions for the economic and social development of the region and the respective countries. Economic and social reforms (notably SAP) should be based on social consensus. Growth and Effects in Employment and Poverty 176. It was acknowledged that the growth in terms of GDP in Africa did not result in job creation and did not have a significant impact on poverty alleviation. Unemployment and under employment, and consequently, poverty worsened in many cases. This was partly due to the rapid growth of the population in general and the labour force in particular. A real population control policy was considered indispensable in the framework of the fight against poverty and reduction of unemployment. The need to make employment a key component of economic and social policy was also underscored. It was also suggested that this should go beyond the national context, but should extend to the sub-regional, regional and international levels. 177. For a more equitable distribution of the benefits of economic growth, it would be necessary to incorporate a social dimension to the development strategies and SAP. Structural Adjustment Programme and National Responsibilities 178. The participants also focused much of their discussions to the Structural Adjustment Programmes. It was pointed out that the orthodox models proposed by the Bretton Woods Institutions could not solve the problems related to development. The expected positive effects of SAP were not achieved in many countries, while on the other hand, the negative effects has significant contributed to poverty aggravation, decline in the standard of living of a good number of workers and to an increase in unemployment and under-employment. The need for structural adjustment was accepted in principle and the importance of a stable economy was reaffirmed. However, macro-economic stability was not considered sufficient to promote growth and contribute to job creation and poverty alleviation. Some of the participants considered the development of a new model of adjustment that takes into account the specific situations and constraints of each country. 179. Countries were called upon to make more serious and more objective analyses of their problems on a consensual basis and thereafter identify appropriate strategies to formulate and implement adopted programmes. This implementation requires on the part of the states, the provision of the necessary resources which should be included in the national budget, and which should reflect the country*s priorities. External contribution should only be used to supplement local resources. Debt Alleviation 180. This central issue was raised by African representatives during the International Labour Conference and features on the agenda of an impending international conference devoted to this issue to be held in Cologne (June 1999). Countries should not consider the debt issues to be a moral problem, but a real economic problem, as the it hampers economic growth. 181. There is need to study more specifically the different modalities for debt relief and its effect on employment. An African proposal on debt relief should come from Africa and presented to international foras that should have the right audience. These will include the international financial institutions, OCDE and the G7. The proposal from Africa should be endorsed by all social partners. 182. It is also necessary to put in place tripartite structures to manage international commitments and also promote transparency, to check prestigious debts, corruption and money laundering , all of which hamper job creation and poverty alleviation. 183. Moreover, the moral responsibility of the donor agencies to develop adequate control structure and mechanisms should be pursued. This will not only enhance the social and economic impact of the funds so disbursed but also help to improve the borrowers* repayment capacity. 184. The issue of ILO*s position in relation to the debt problem was raised by a number of participants. The ILO position was considered to be in line with the values of the Organisation. It was stressed that the issue had been discussed in depth at the World Social Development Summit in Copenhagen, where ILO played an active role. The 1996 International Labour Conference had also debated the issue at length. The ILO calls for debt relief to help alleviate poverty in Africa, 185. It is generally understood that the status of any international organisation depends on both the force of its arguments and its political clout. ILO had over the years drawn on these two facts to make its voice heard. Its audience has been growing and it has increasingly been making itself heard, especially on current issues such as the Asian crisis. In addition, dialogue with the Bretton-Woods institutions has become more frequent and would be pursued further. Economic Liberalisation 186. One of the most important points of the discussions was the opening up of African markets. This was inevitable, considered virtually within the context of the ongoing globalisation. Participants, however, preferred a gradual rather than sudden opening of markets. This would help countries develop safety nets to accommodate the negative effects of globalisation. 187. The fear of seeing the weak African private sector disappear in the face of the powerful multinationals was expressed. It was therefore proposed that the States should set up safeguards to protect to a certain extent, the emerging dynamic and export-oriented industries. Technology and Productivity 188. Access to technology was considered as an essential development factor. However for Africa, the problem of the technological dependence of African economies is worrying. It was recommended that countries should try and develop their own indigenous technologies. When importing technology, it was recommended to import the know-how and adjust the technology to suit the local environment. This will also lead to an increase in productivity. 189. The technological factor is not the only cause for productivity gain : manpower training, managerial skills, organisation of production and work and research are also important factors. In this way, the tripartite councils can greatly contribute to the promotion of productivity, given that participation of workers leads to improved results, enhances efficiency and fosters innovation and motivation. Labour Intensive Programmes and Productivity 190. The objectives of productivity improvement and employment maximisation may seem contradictory. However, there is in fact, complementarily in as much as labour-intensive work is concerned. Productivity can improve for well managed labour intensive programmes. Employment and Economic Integration in African 191. It was emphasised that at a time when globalisation was moving at a fast pace and major economic blocks were being created, African countries had no other major alternative than to strengthen sub-regional and regional economic integration. That type of integration has been found to promote investment and job creation. This could be facilitated through the strengthening of sub-regional and regional organisations, the effective implementation of the legal and regulatory framework on the free circulation of persons and goods, the harmonisation of business laws, the development of negotiation/bargaining capacities and participation in international economic bodies such as the Uruguay Round and UNCTAD and facilitation of intra-African trade. It was thus important to revive and implement the Lagos Plan of Action. Employment Promotion and Development of Vocational Training 192. A consensus was reached on the relevance of the 1998 ILO World Employment Report on "Employability and Globalisation: The crucial role of Training". Participants emphasised that in Africa, more than any where else, the pursuit of growth, competitiveness of the economies, and employment promotion could not be feasible unless training systems and the acquisition of qualifications, including training through continuing education, were restructured. To this end, it was reaffirmed that social dialogue, and more specifically, consultation among governments, social partners, civil society, NGOs etc. were highly necessary for the reform of training systems, financing, decentralisation and the flexibility to labour market demand of the different sectors of the society. International Labour Standards and Promotion of Job Quality 193. Participants recognised the fact that job creation alone did not suffice. The jobs created should be of good quality, productive, adequately remunerated and in keeping in line with the fundamental rights of workers. Globalisation should always safeguarding the rights of workers as this is an essential element for development. A consensus was reached on the fact that not only should the fundamental International Labour Standards be ratified, they should also be implemented. The establishment and development of industrial and export free zones, while promoting job creation, should also enhance the quality of these jobs. Promotion of Women's Employment 194. Although women made up the major portion of the population of most African countries, they were the worst hit by unemployment and poverty. Some of the case studies discussed also revealed chronic discrimination in terms of remuneration, training and access to credit to females with the same qualification to their male counterpart. Participants were of the opinion that employment promotion, training, women*s remuneration, just like the fight against discrimination, enhanced democracy, equity and the respect of human rights in the countries, and ensured sustained growth and the well-being of the population as a whole. ILO Co-operation Programmes on Employment Promotion and Poverty Alleviation 195. Participants expressed satisfaction with the activities developed in the major co-operation programmes discussed: "More and Better Jobs for Women", ACOPAM and "Start and Improve Your Business". They underscored the need to build on and spread the knowledge and experiences gained from the programmes in all the member States and hoped that concrete action would be taken to mobilise resources. The next meeting of the OAU Social and Working Committee, meetings with donors, meetings and conferences scheduled in Geneva, Ad hoc and informal contacts with partners and debt alleviation initiatives were all part of the resource mobilisation strategy. Future Employment Planners Meeting 196. Participants were of the view that the ILO should improve the organisation of future Employment Planners meeting. The length of the meeting, over one week (including travel time) was considered too long, given the busy schedules of senior government, employers and workers representatives. It was proposed to reduce the future meetings to three days. In addition, participants were of the view that two years between one meeting and the next seems to be too long. They proposed that the ILO should organise intermediary sub-regional meetings. 197.The Employers* Group recommended that in future, the planners meeting should become a meeting on employment promotion in Africa, with real tripartite reflections on exchange of information on enterprise development, strengthening competencies, fight against social exclusion, fight for gender equality and employment for the youth and women. For this to be achieved, it is desirable that such a meeting should concentrate on a precise theme and a background document prepared by the ILO, should be distributed in advance to the participants. 198. The Workers Group recommended that the Ministries of Trade and Industry/Commerce, Economic Planning and Finance should be invited to participate. Tripartite structures need to be active on issues discussed, and this will give opportunities to evaluate progress in between the biennial meetings.