The weight and experience of BRICS countries is essential to
addressing the major challenges faced by the global economy, said
ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, in his opening address at the
3rd BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers’ meeting in Chongqing.
“The strategic position of the BRICS countries and their weight
and dynamism in the global economy means that you are all
addressing these challenges globally and nationally,” he said,
stressing the importance of coordination and sharing of
experience and good practice.
Ryder underlined that the BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia,
India, China and South Africa – represent 48 per cent of the
global population and 21 per cent of the world’s production. “The
BRICS group – as it approaches its 10th anniversary – has
established itself as a key actor on the international stage and
in many areas of policy-making. It is of the highest significance
that labour and employment policy seems now to be firmly
established as one of its priorities,” he said.
The ILO Director-General commended the steps the five nations
have taken to promote social security cooperation and to
establish a network of labour research institutes. In addition,
he expressed “particular appreciation” for the role and presence
of the BRICS social partners who are “vital to the work we do and
that we will continue to do together”.
Ryder noted that the agenda of the Chongqing meeting is strongly
aligned with two crucial global processes: The United Nations
2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the ILO Centenary
Initiative on the Future of Work .
He added that the Initiative is entering its second stage with
the launch of a high-level Global Commission on the Future of
Work in Geneva. The Commission will report to the centenary
International Labour Conference (ILC) in 2019.
Ryder said he was confident that the Chongqing meeting and the
final declaration will contribute effectively to strengthening a
“Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future” ahead of the BRICS
Leaders’ Summit in Xiamen in September.
“It is after all a fundamental desire of people across the world,
above all in this period of transformative change and sometimes
of uncertainty, that they can look forward and contribute to a
better future of work – one with social justice and prosperity
and decent work for all,” he concluded.
