AU, ILO forge partnership for decent work & social justice

The AU-ILO Joint Planning Meeting was convened on 8 April 2024 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia reassures strengthened collaboration and coordination between the African Union (AU) and the International Labour Organization (ILO). The joint planning meeting brought together twenty representatives from both institutions to discuss key areas of mutual interest and chart a path forward for joint initiatives and partnerships.

The meeting commenced with opening remarks from Mr. Alexio Musindo and Mr. Sabelo Mbokazi who underscored the importance of the partnership between the AU and ILO in promoting economic development, social justice, and decent work across the African continent. They highlighted the significance of joint efforts in addressing pressing challenges such as unemployment, labour migration, and gender inequality.

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"Through sustained collaboration between the AU and ILO, we've not only outlined clear policies but also established a solid framework for future cooperation, ensuring our joint efforts continue to yield tangible results."

Mr. Sabelo Mbokazi, Head of Labour, Employment & Migration Division, AU Health, Humanitarian Affairs &Social Development

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"By working together, we can leverage our respective strengths to address the challenges of unemployment, inequality, and social injustice that persist in many African countries."

Mr. Alexio Musindo - Former Director, ILO CO Addis Ababa

A comprehensive review of progress made since the establishment of the partnership was conducted, focusing on key achievements, challenges encountered, and lessons learned. Participants acknowledged the strides made in promoting employment creation, decent work, and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The successful commissioning of studies, dissemination of findings, and engagement with stakeholders were highlighted as notable achievements.

The meeting facilitated candid discussions on various thematic areas, including:

• Promotion of Employment Creation and Decent Work: Participants discussed strategies for promoting employment creation and decent work as part of the implementation of the AfCFTA. Key topics included labour provisions in the AfCFTA, gendered effects of trade restrictions on labour market outcomes, and the promotion of Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) - Decent Work and Economic Growth.
• Nexus between Free Movement, Legal Migration, and Trade: Deliberations centred on the interplay between free movement, legal migration, and trade within the context of the AfCFTA. Participants explored opportunities for synergies and identified challenges hindering progress in this area, including issues related to security, violence, and policy coherence.
• Fair Recruitment, Human Trafficking, and Smuggling of Migrants: The meeting addressed the importance of fair recruitment practices and strategies to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling. Participants emphasised the need for comprehensive approaches, including policy frameworks, capacity building, and international cooperation.
• Global Coalition for Social Justice: The establishment of a Global Coalition for Social Justice was discussed as a platform to advance social justice, decent work, and social dialogue. Participants highlighted the importance of inclusive participation from governments, UN agencies, regional institutions, businesses, and civil society organizations.

Proposed Next Steps:

Building on the discussions held during the meeting, participants proposed a set of next steps to advance the AU-ILO partnership:

• Development of Policy Briefs: There was a consensus to develop policy briefs on key thematic areas discussed during the meeting, including employment creation, labour migration, and social justice. These briefs would serve as actionable recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders.
• Capacity Building and Dialogue: Participants recommended organizing capacity-building workshops and dialogues to enhance understanding and implementation of labour-related provisions of the AfCFTA and other relevant frameworks. These initiatives would facilitate knowledge sharing and foster collaboration among stakeholders.
• Engagement with Stakeholders: It was proposed to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, regional organizations, civil society, and the private sector, to garner support and mobilise resources for joint initiatives. Collaboration with academia and research institutions was also emphasised to leverage expertise and data for evidence-based policymaking.
• Continued Monitoring and Evaluation: Participants stressed the importance of ongoing monitoring and evaluation to track progress, identify challenges, and adapt strategies accordingly. Regular reporting mechanisms and feedback loops would ensure accountability and transparency in the implementation of joint initiatives.

The AU-ILO Joint Planning Meeting concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to advancing shared goals of promoting employment creation, decent work, and social justice in Africa. The meeting served as a platform for fruitful discussions, knowledge exchange, and strategic planning, laying the groundwork for future collaboration and partnership between the AU and ILO. As the partnership continues to evolve, participants expressed confidence in its ability to make meaningful contributions to the socio-economic development of the continent and the well-being of its people.