The Arab Labour Organisation (ALO) presented, on Monday in Gammarth, its second report on employment and joblessness in the Arab countries, in association with the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT).
The report sheds light on the socio-economic situation in the Arab countries through an assessment of joblessness and a review of ways to limit it and promote employment.
Several reports, on this occasion, reviewed the different axes contained in this document related to the economic crisis and its impact on employment and unemployment in the Arab countries as well as laws and measures related to the movement of Arab workforce, in addition to the issue of poverty, employment, productivity and vocational training in Arab countries.
Social Affairs and Tunisians Abroad Minister Naceur Gharbi emphasised, on the occasion, Tunisia's approach to employment as a foundation of Man's dignity. He pointed out that Tunisia carried out profound reforms in the employment sector, particularly through restructuring employment mechanisms which helped bring down unemployment rate by two percentage points despite the continuous growth of additional job demands.
He pointed out that the 2009-14 presidential programme brought about a set of measures aimed to cover the additional job applications in such a manner as to reduce the unemployment rate by 1.5% point by 2014 and guarantee an income source for each Tunisian family.
For his part, UGTT Secretary-General Abdessalem Jerad called for devising an Arab joint strategy to boost co-operation between Arab countries, as part of social dialogue, and stepping up exchange of information on economic indicators.
He also called to encourage investment in industrial sectors, develop the training system and promote the employment situation of women and youth.
He added that the growth experienced by Tunisia is the fruit of the social dialogue between the different social partners strengthened by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
The publication of this second report helps shed light on the reality of unemployment in the Arab countries and identify ways to reduce it, underlined Deputy Secretary-General of the Arab League and Chairman of the Tunis-based League's Centre Chedli Neffati.
He also emphasised the League's efforts to boost employment in the Arab countries, in association with international and regional organisations.
Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Lokmane, ALO Director-General, praised Tunisia's active employment policy, saying that experts of the Arab Labour Organisation draw inspiration from this experience in devising future plans and programmes.
For his part, Mr. Jemil Hamdane, Bahraini Deputy Employment Minister, highlighted the Tunisian experience in combating unemployment and programmes of training and encouraging creation of private projects, adding that this experience is a model in the fight against poverty and unemployment in the Arab countries.
© Agence Tunis Afrique Presse 2010
