President William Ruto has asked the International Labour Organization (ILO) to focus more on youth unemployment and other forms of social exclusion.
Speaking at the International Labour Organization, World of Work Summit, in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday, June 15 President Ruto noted that more attention should be on unemployment.
"The ILO system is worker-oriented in that it primarily represents workers rights, yet labour rights are affected by both employment and unemployment," said President Ruto.
President Ruto mentioned that it should be a matter of deep concern that unemployment rates in Africa were some of the world’s highest, with many countries reporting between a quarter and a third of their populations not engaged in secure, productive employment.
"Traditionally, it has always been a concern of the unemployed and government. I believe we will score serious breakthroughs when we incorporate unemployment and the unemployed into the social dialogue, and therefore suggest that for social justice to become a reality, and for this World of Work Summit to live up to its description, we must expand the scope of social dialogue to bring these millions of jobless people to work," President Ruto stated.
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He added, "Social Justice For All makes it imperative to expand the social dialogue, from the tripartite model to a four-sided forum of workers, employers and unemployed."
The Head of State said governments, employers and workers must be equally concerned about the unemployment crisis.
In this regard, President Ruto said commitment to finding sustainable solutions to it was required in order to bring the majority of the world’s population into the ILO ‘s traditional constituency.
He said the majority of the world’s unemployed people live in the Global South, especially the continent 'I call home'.
He noted that on average, Africa invests 30 percent of its annual budget, or US dollars 150 billion on educating and training its youth.
"But only 30 percent of them join the workforce, and 70 percent remained unemployed. What a waste!", wondered President Ruto.
Dr Ruto said the perennial waste of human capital and productive opportunity must squarely form part of the most urgent concerns for workers, employers as well as government.
The Head of State affirmed that he was confident that nations would overcome the challenge if unemployment and the employed were incorporated into the social dialogue.
"I therefore suggest that for social justice to become a reality, and for this World of Work Summit to live up to its description, we must expand the scope of social dialogue to bring these millions of jobless people to work," said President Ruto.
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