Betty Ongom Amongi, the Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development led Uganda’s delegation to the 111th International Labour Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO) held from 5th to 16th June 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland.
In her address to the conference, Amongi highlighted the pressing need for robust public action to tackle social inequalities that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
She emphasized that the pre-existing vulnerabilities and income disparities, worsened by the pandemic, have disproportionately affected women, girls, and workers in the informal sector.
The minister stressed the importance of strong international cooperation and solidarity to ensure an equitable economic recovery.
Expressing her concern, she noted that the world is deviating from eradicating extreme poverty and achieving global social justice. By 2030, it is projected that 600 million people, approximately 7% of the global population, could be living in extreme poverty.
She called for renewed commitment to social policies that protect vulnerable groups and highlighted the significance of universal access to social protection for economic and food security, particularly during crises.
Amongi informed the conference about several initiatives implemented by Uganda to support vulnerable individuals and promote social inclusion. These initiatives include cash support programs such as the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE), targeting older persons aged 80 years and above, as well as special grants for older persons (aged 65 to 79), persons with disabilities, and the Women & Youth Livelihood Funds.
In order to drive post-pandemic recovery, Uganda introduced the Parish Development Model, which provides rural cooperative banks with up to USD 500 million per year for agricultural investments, aiming to transition 39% of the impoverished population into the formal economy. The country also places a strong focus on institutional interventions for development, prioritizing efficiency, inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability.
Recognizing the importance of agriculture, particularly family farming and small-scale food production, Uganda sees it as crucial for poverty reduction and addressing social inequality.Amongi commended the establishment of the Global Coalition for Social Justice by the ILO Director-General, Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo. She pledged Uganda’s commitment to actively engage and collaborate within the coalition, firmly believing that by empowering workers, promoting social protection, and addressing inequality, meaningful and lasting social justice can be achieved, leading to a brighter future for all.
About the International Labour Conference:
The International Labour Conference serves as the highest decision-making body of the International Labour Organization (ILO). Annually, representatives from the ILO’s 187 member states, along with various observers from international entities, come together to discuss a range of topics related to the world of work, as placed on the agenda by the ILO’s Governing Body. The Conference consists of a plenary and technical committees.
Often referred to as the international parliament of labor, the Conference plays a crucial role in establishing and adopting international labor standards, as well as facilitating discussions on key social and labor issues. Additionally, it approves the organization’s budget and elects the Governing Body.
The International Labour Conference convenes every June in Geneva, Switzerland, enabling member states’ government, worker, and employer delegates to set the ILO’s broad policies. Each member state is represented by a delegation comprising two government delegates, an employer delegate, a worker delegate, and their respective advisors. Many government representatives are cabinet ministers responsible for labor affairs in their respective countries. Employer and worker delegates are nominated in consultation with the most representative national organizations of employers and workers.
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