MATUKIO @ MICHUZI BLOG: AFRICA REGIONAL MEETING OF LABOUR STATISTICIANS IN PREPARATION FOR THE 20TH ICLS OPENS IN DAR ES SALAAM

BY K-VIS BLOG/KHALFAN SAID.

REPRESENTATIVES from more than 35 African Countries converge in Tanzanian commercial capital Dar es Salaam in capacity-building workshop on labour statistics and Africa Regional meeting of labour statisticians in preparation for the 20^th ICLS, to be held in Geneva, Switzerland in October, 2018.The regional workshop started Monday May 29, 2017 at Ramada Hotel in Dar es Salaam.

ILO’s Assistant Director General and Regional Director for Africa, Mr. Aeneas Chuma, makes his welcoming remarks. With him is Madam Mary Kawar, Director, ILO Country Office for Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.

Speaking on behalf of the ILO, The ILO’s Assistant Director General and Regional Director for Africa, Mr. Aeneas Chuma, (above), said, quality statistics are increasingly needed as the basis for sound policy advice and support to countries at a time when the economy are changing fast.

“This regional meeting consists of two activities of capacity-bilding workshop on labour statistics highlighting the 19^th ICLS resolution on work statistics and regional consultation of labour statistics in preparation for the 20^th ICLS.” He explained.

Mr.Chuma also said, The 19^th ICLS resolution, which was the latest labour statistics standard adopted in October 2013, is a core subject of the first activity.

“I would like to recall that, ILO, we follow a learning approach which is a participatory and hands-on methodology emphasizing knowledge, experience and good practice sharing. I understand such will be the approach to be used in this meeting.” He insisted.

Mr.Anthony Mavunde, (pictured above), is Tanzanian Deputy Minister of State in The Prime Minister’s Office (Labour,Youth, Employment and Persons with Disability), who was the Chief guest at the opening session.

In his remarks, the Deputy Minister said, “We all understand that labour statistics play an essential role in the efforts of our countries to achieve decent work for all and for the ILO’s support to these efforts.” Said Deputy Minister.

“These statistics are needed for development and evaluation of policies towards this goal and assessing progress towards decent work. They are also an important tool for information and analysis, helping to increase understanding of common problems, explains actions and mobilizes interest.” He said.

Mr. Mavunde further said, improving the collection and availability of labour statistics is an important factor in not only promoting employment creation and improved livelihoods but also in achieving the 17 SDGs, especially Goal 8. “Promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.” He stated.

The deputy minister also said, at the national level, labour market information is particularly important to the governments and all stakeholders, for policy formulation, planning and for monitoring and evaluation, increasingly , government requires labour market information to monitor the implementation of programmes and legislation and to monitor and evaluate economic and labor market performance.

Some of the participants attend the workshop

On his part, the country manager of African Development Bank, (AfDB), who was represented by Mr.Simba Hamisi, (pictured), said, producing treliable and timely labour statistics, is essential to the research and information needs for sound, evidence-based policy-making. “It is for this reason that within the implementation framework of its statistical capacity building program, the African Development Bank (AfDB), in expertise with its regional member countries, identified the lack of expertise in data analysis of labour force surveys and this has been a major drawback in deliberate efforts of producing comprehensive labour force statistics in many countries.

Director of Population, Census and Social Statistics, Ephraim Kwesigabo, speaks during the opening session

Guest of honor, Deputy Minister Mavunde, (L), shakes hands with ILO’s Assistant Director General and Regional Director for Africa, Mr. Aeneas Chuma