(GB.350/PFA/1: ILO programme implementation 2022-23, 4th March 2023)

Mr. Chair,

I am honored to speak on behalf of ASPAG.

At the outset, ASPAG appreciates the work of the Office in preparing the document for our discussion.

We noted that during the 2022-23 biennium, the world was facing the uneven recovery and the “polycrisis” has significant and profound impacts on the world of work. In this difficult context, the ILO pursued its mandate of promoting social justice through decent work for all, with a human-centred approach, redoubling its efforts to enhance the resilience and capacity of member states with a view to adapting their labour policies and institutions to the urgent challenges they face.

We take note that more than 1000 decent work results were achieved in 143 member states and territories, among others, the launch of Global Coalition for Social Justice was endorsed, the safe and healthy working environment was identified as a fundamental principle and right at work, the Quality Apprenticeship Recommendation was adopted, the 21st International Conference of Labour Statisticians was well organized, various means of action were explored to promote decent work in crisis situations. With that, we appreciate the achievements and progress made by the Office under the leadership of Director General during the past biennium.

We also noticed that 230 results in 28 Member States were achieved in ASPAG region. We are encouraged that the results met or exceeded the targets set for the output indicators in five out of eight policy outcomes of the P&B. However, we would like to seek more clarifications from the Office on those results in outcomes 1, 2 and 5 which are below the set target. We are also keen to know what measures and resources could be put into place to improve the results of these under-performed indicators in the next biennium.

As for policy outcome 1, we encourage the Office to further support member states in enhancing their labour administrations, and strengthening their labour inspection capacity building including the reform programme and research.

As for policy outcome 2, we suggest that the Office continue to help strengthen the capacity of member states to fulfill their reporting obligations through various means including training sessions in Turin center. We request the Office to provide timely and effective technical assistance to support member states in implementing their ratified International Labour Standards. We support the Office to organize more seminars at the global, regional and national level based on the needs of tripartite constituents to facilitate technical exchange of views to ensure a better understanding on sectoral labour standards, codes of practice and guidelines.

As for policy outcome 3, we commend ILO’s efforts in supporting its constituents in increasing decent jobs and developing comprehensive just transition policies encompassing jobs, skills and financing focusing on areas such as the blue economy, renewable energies and the bioeconomy. We invite the Office to strengthen its research including flagship reports and working papers on the trends of evolution in the world of work as we strongly believe research complemented by knowledge and good practices sharing could serve as an important reference to inform the policy formulation and implementation at the national level.

As for policy outcome 4, we are glad to see that ILO’s Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises Progamme trained thousands of workers and managers with reported increase in productivity. We would like to emphasize the importance to address productivity and decent work challenges systemically and welcome more ILO strategies and action plans to improve the enabling environment for entrepreneurship and sustainable enterprises.

As for policy outcome 5, we reiterate that skills and lifelong learning is one of our regional priorities and we welcome the Office’s efforts on the application of more methods for skills needs anticipation and matching. We also request adequate resources to be allocated to the comprehensive implementation of the ILO Skills and Lifelong Learning Strategy for 2022-30 even though the skills and lifelong learning is not a standing-alone outcome of the P&B in the current biennium.

As for policy outcome 6, we commend the results achieved in various indicators including gender equality, care economy, a world of work free from violence and harassment as well as equal opportunities and treatment for people in vulnerable situations. We encourage the Office to continue its efforts in this regard.

For outcome 7, we welcome the integrated approach to deal with fundamental principles and rights at work. We also support the Office to intensify its efforts on nurturing a safe and healthy working environment for all due to the inclusion of OSH as one of the fundamental principles and rights at work.

For outcome 8, we stress the importance of the adoption and implementation of policy measures to extend social protection and commends the efforts made and the progress achieved by the Office. We fully support the Office to mobilize and invest more resources in this regard. We also encourage the Office to strengthen its efforts in helping member states improve their capacity building, extending social protection coverage and enhancing social protection administration.

As for the enabling outcomes, we encourage the Office to continue its efforts to ensure the optimal functioning of the organization and effective delivery of the policy outcomes. In particular, we encourage the Office to step up its efforts to develop targeted policies and measures with a view to supporting the realization of Human Resource Strategy targets to achieve the goal of a highly performing, motivated and diverse workforce.

We agree with the last part of the PFA/1 document that the Office should attach great importance to learning from what has worked well and what has not in delivering the ILO programme in order to constantly improve the use of resource to achieve better results and impact.

With all the comments and guidance provided, ASPAG could support the decision point in para. 278.

Thank you, Chair.