Geneva, Switzerland, June 15, 2009.

Dear Ministers of Labor of the Non-Aligned Movement:

Representatives and observers of the Movement:

First of all, let me express our satisfaction for having the opportunity of meeting again, for the third consecutive year, to discuss issues of our agenda in the framework of the International Labor Organization.

As previously announced, you have the draft statements that we propose to adopt in this meeting.

Today we have a more active Movement with a revitalized convening power, as shown by this initiative of political agreement that we have opened within the ILO since three years ago.

This has been possible from the mandate given to us by our Heads of State and Government at the XIV Summit of the Movement held in Havana in September 2006, to concentrate our efforts in reforming the working methods of the Committee on Application of Standards and the expansion of the membership of the Committee on Freedom of Association.

Concerning the Committee on Application of Standards, we have progressed. For example, the preliminary list of countries to appear at the Commission is issued 15 days before the start of their work, which allows having a reasonable period of time so that governments can prepare the possible analysis of their respective cases.

There has been a better geographical balance in the preparation of this list and a better balance among fundamental and technical agreements.

However, in the framework of the Conference meetings, the works of the Committee on Application of Standards are yet controversial. There is still a lack of transparency and absence of clear criteria for the selection of cases that make up the aforementioned list.

In some occasions, it seems that in the permanent selection of countries to integrate this list predominate preconceived political criteria. We note with concern that the punitive approach still prevails in the work of this body.

In relation to the Committee on Freedom of Association, informal meetings have been held with the spokespersons of the Workers’ and Employers’ associations, but no consensus has been reached for further progress on this issue. The Committee is undemocratic and does not even meet the standards and procedures used by other bodies of the United Nations system. Its unfair, discriminatory and inequitable membership has not been revised thus affecting directly a regional group.

These are the current challenges to overcome by the Movement to preserve its strategic interests in the ILO. We must continue to promote the evaluation of these issues in a calm and goodwill policy atmosphere, appealing to the tripartite dialogue, which is the essence of this Organization, but this shall not mean doing nothing when faced with bad practices.

Dear colleagues and representatives:

The ILO arrives this year to its 90th birthday. There have been many the efforts by the Organization during these 9 decades in the pursuit of their goals on a global scale. However, the ILO should adapt to the current world situation, taking advantages of the new opportunities and tackling the global challenges, including the current economic and social crisis that affects everyone, especially the countries of the Movement.

The crisis further exacerbates poverty, unemployment, hunger and marginalization. There is a risk that this crisis leads to a social and human crisis with incalculable consequences.

A rigorous and deep analysis of its impacts is required in the framework of the UNO and not in limited and discriminatory circles. Actions should be directed, not to preserve the serious shortcomings of a system of production and distribution that has proven to be unfair, ineffective and unsustainable, but to redesign the international economic order and restructure its financial architecture.

The ILO should continue to participate in efforts to solve the crisis and to minimize its negative effects, through proposals to create jobs, to strengthen the structure of social protection, to increase the public investment, the wages, the protection of fundamental principles and rights at work and to promote social dialogue.

This requires our unity and solidarity, that make the participation of the Movement in complex scenarios more effective, so that our voices can be heard and we can remain to be a key player in the main debates of the international agenda.

I can assure you that Cuba will continue to promote unity and cooperation among the Non-Aligned countries and will make all possible efforts to strengthen the work of the Movement within the mandate of the International Labor Organization.

We are sure that, after the held of the XV Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, Egypt will continue to successfully leading the Movement to meet the agreed goals.

Let me conclude by expressing our vote of support towards the next president. From the Troika, and as an active member of the Movement, Cuba will maintain its unconditional solidarity and will continue to fight for the vindication of the progress, full employment and the welfare of our peoples.

Thank you very much. (Cubaminrex- Embacuba Ginebra)

Remarks by the Minister of Labor and Social Security of the Republic of Cuba, Margarita González Fernández at the Closure of the Meeting of Ministers of Labor of the Non-aligned Movement during the 98th International Labor Conference.

Geneva, Switzerland, June 15, 2009.

Dear Ministers of Labor of the Non-Aligned Movement:

Representatives and observers of the Movement:

We have had a fruitful meeting.

It confirms that this opportunity of coordination strengthens the positions of the Movement and its capability to contribute to the fulfillment of the principles of transparency, objectivity, multilateral relationships and non-selectivity in the structures and mechanisms of the International Labor Organization.

It also shows how much remains to be done. It is a job of the ILO, to address the rights and aspirations of all workers of the world. For our countries, that have been condemned by the unjust international economic order and pay the highest price of the crisis, to make the organization to rise to the occasion constitute a decisive requirement.

We are able to continue to contribute to the defense of the Movement’s interests, to the democratization of international relations, to the joint and solidarity action of the South in the struggle for peace and development. We represent two thirds of the humanity.

The Non-Aligned Movement and its future president, Egypt, may count on the solidarity and the experience of Cuba in the process of strengthening our work within the ILO.

Cuba will consistently meet its commitments and will continue to struggle to achieve that better world that our peoples aspire and deserve. (Cubaminrex- Embacuba Ginebra)

Thank you very much