Labour markets and employment in South Africa: report and recommendations of the expert group meeting on labour markets and employment in Southern Africa, 3 - 6 February, 2003 Lusaka, Zambia

Abstract

The introduction of the paper highlighted labour markets and employment issues in Southern Africa as part of the development problems which needed to be addressed through the sustainable human development approach. Labour was viewed as both a means and an end of economic activities. Thus labour is a factor of production and its demand is derived from the economic activities needed to produce goods and services to meet the needs of the people. In this context, reference was made to the approach to labour markets issues in the framework of ILO on decent work which promotes the following objectives:Concern for all workers in both formal and non-formal employment; Promotion of rights at work; Promotion of increased opportunities for productive employment; Ensuring decent work and protecting individuals against vulnerable forms of work; Promoting social dialogue among stakeholders including (government,employees, business) and in civil society, organizations.