Conference to tackle labour market protection systems
The Institute For Labour and Employment Studies ( ILES) Chief Executive Officer ( CEO), Shandukani Hlabano reveals that this year’s labour conference will focus on policy framework and implementation plan for job creation. The second Annual Labour Conference is billed for 14th to the 15th September 2023 at the Travelodge Conference Centre in Gaborone. He explained that the conference will congregate a network of more than 300 local and international delegates who are essential stakeholders and experts on a just transition and decent work agenda. In a media briefing on Tuesday, details of logistics and accreditation were shared ahead of the conference, and Hlabano further revealed that the Minister of Labour, Annah Mokgethi together with the Minister of Entrepreneurship Karabo Gare will grace the conference. Parastatals top management are also expected to attend the conference. Other distinguished speakers include technical expert from the International Labour Oganisation ( ILO), Onneetse Makhumalo, academia, Prof Siphambe, regional labour movements and ILES social partners such as Friedrich Ebert Stiftung ( FES) country manager, Thilo Shoene and other government departments. The conference will be held under the theme, ‘ A Just Transition And Decent Work: Inclusive Job Creation Approaches And Effective Labour Market
Protection Systems.’ Hlabano said the conference will address the dynamics of the Botswana labour market as it charted its way into the future, with the aid of different stakeholders in the World of Work. “The conference’s objective is to investigate national policies and strategies, as well as implementation plans in place for A Just Transition and Decent Work programmes that promote inclusive socio- economic advancement. We further want to Assess policy frameworks and practical recommendations for job creation, that drive the Decent Work agenda and quality jobs for all. The conference will also establish the role of social dialogue and tripartite partnerships by the Government, Employers and Workers’ Organisations, as well as, their responsibilities in a successful implementation of an inclusive job creation approach and effective labour market protection systems.” Hlabano further said, the labour conference will discuss the impacts and risks resulting from climate, technology and demographic changes centred around prevention and protection measures that promote, “A Just Transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all, will formulate coherent guidelines, policies and programmes in relation to the protection of worker’s health and well- being at work, communities and the environment against the risks and effects from technological, environmental and demographic dynamics.”
For his part, ILES Economic La
bour Officer, Abel Mapango said the model of the conference will see five discussions from anticipated thematic panel discussions and one plenary discussion. He added that the thematic areas for panels include among them the policy frameworks, strategies and implementation plan for job creation and quality jobs for all to an environmentally sustainable economy.
“The afternoon session will oversee a panel discussing on the social dialogue and tripartite partnership’s responsibilities in a successful implementation of an inclusive job creation approach and effective labour market protection systems. On day two, the discussions will dissect the dialogue on climate, technology and demographic dynamics,” explains Mapango.