Mr. President;
Director General;
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Talofa lava and Warm Greetings! It gives me great pleasure to take the floor on
behalf of my country, the Independent State of Samoa.
On behalf of the Government of Samoa I wish to congratulate Honorable Minister
Mr. Claudio Moroni of Argentina on your appointment as President of the
conference and allow me to assure you that you have our full support moving
forward.
As we convene this 110 th session of the International Labour Conference we recall
the centenary declaration for the future of work and its strong affirmation of the
social mandate of the ILO, and the critical role of social dialogue and International
Labour Standards.
It is with these commitments in mind that we must develop strategies for recovery
from COVID 19 and similar global challenges, to reflect a strong and coherent
global response and support Member States through joint initiatives and enhanced
institutional arrangements.
Mr. President
We commend the Director Generals Report in prioritizing our Least Developed
Countries. The strong linkage between our social justice mandate to leave no one
behind and the vulnerable situation of LDCs highlights the importance of the ILOs
work.
This is where labour protection must be strengthened across member states through
nationally driven labour law reform and policy development to effect the change
needed at the national and enterprise level.
Mr. President
In line with the creation of decent employment in Pacific Island Countries we
continue to place high importance on just transition and putting decent work at the
centre of climate action.
As Co-Chair of the International Advisory Board for the Climate Action for Jobs
Coalition, we hope to continue the momentum and consolidate green job creation
across the Blue Pacific to compliment adaptation and mitigation initiatives.
Furthermore, Samoa has prioritized the principles identified under the Convention
on Violence and Harassment in the world of work in its own national labour law
reform. The Labour and Employment Relations Bill currently before our legislative
assembly will introduce strengthened protections for workers from harassment,
including sexual harassment and wrongful termination.
As we move towards post COVID recovery and re-opening international borders
Samoa will launch its National Employment Policy. Under this framework, decent
employment creation including strengthened safety and health, skills development
and taking advantage of emerging opportunities will form the basis for a return to
pre-covid levels of employment and economic activity.
To conclude Mr. President,
We convey our appreciation to the ILO, Director General Mr. Guy Ryder for the
continued support in furthering Samoa’s work towards the ultimate goal of
inclusive, full and productive employment.
As declared by our Honorable Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa at the Global
Forum for a Human Centered Recovery, Samoa and the Pacific Island States
continue to uphold our commitments to decent work through improved labour
standards built on the foundation of our culture and heritage, which have ensured
social harmony in our region.
I wish you all a productive Conference and to our constituents we look forward to
continued dialogue as we navigate towards a Post COVID world of work.
Thank you and FA’AFETAI!