Ghana to celebrate 90th anniversary of ILO

Accra, April 20, GNA - Ghana is joining the world to celebrate the 90th anniversary, this year, of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), beginning with a series of activities from Tuesday. The anniversary is being observed in Ghana by the ILO's project offices as well as the Organisation's tripartite partners - Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, Ghana Employers' Association (GEA) and the Trades Union Congress (TUC), a statement signed by Dr Nii Moi Thompson, International Project Expert of the Local Economic Development Initiative.

The global theme for the anniversary is "Social Dialogue and Decent Work for a Fair Globalisation". However, the local theme is "Youth Employment and Job Security."

The statement said the activities outlined for the anniversary included interactions with the media, starting from April 21, various activities by the TUC and GEA, and a symposium at the Accra offices of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) on April 27. On April 28, the ILO will inaugurate a 15-member Sub-committee on Production and Gainful Employment (SPGE) at the Awutu-Senya District in the Central Region as part of the ILO's Local Economic Development Initiative.

The statement noted that ILO's 90th anniversary coincided with the current global financial crisis and its associated problem of growing unemployment. "The ILO's global actions and initiatives, such as the Decent Work Agenda, with its four pillars of employment promotion, social protection, social dialogue, and rights at work, are designed to help ameliorate the effects of such crises." Since its formation in 1919, the ILO has vigorously pursued social justice around the world.

"From its advocacy for the eight-hour work day to the quest for a fair globalization, through war and peace, depression and economic boom, ILO has worked tirelessly with and for workers in pursuit of social justice," the statement said.