We, the Labour Ministers, representatives of NAM member countries at the ILO, celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the International Labour Organization, and in conformity with the mandate given by the Heads of State or Government of the Non-Aligned Movement at the 14th Summit, and by the Ministers at the 15th NAM Ministerial Conference in order to defend and promote NAM’s stances in the context of the ILO, affirmed that “universal and permanent peace can only be based on social justice”; and that in order to achieve it, the interests of the huge vulnerable majorities and the goals of job promotion-creation and social protection must be taken into consideration.

The NAM Labour Ministers recognized the efforts made by the Organization during these 90 years, guided by its values, principles and mandates, with a view to advancing in the attainment of its objectives at the international level. The ILO has adopted important international agreements and declarations on labour and social protection matters and has played an important role in the development of social and economic policies.

The NAM Labour Ministers stated, however, that the ILO should adapt itself to the current international situation, taking advantage of the new opportunities and in line with the adoption of the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization, and face the challenges, including the current international financial and economic crisis affecting everybody and especially the Movement’s member countries.

The NAM Labour Ministers affirmed that it is necessary to adapt some of the ILO bodies, including the Governing Body and the Committee on Freedom of Association, so that they may be more effective, more representative and a reflection of the current reality. At the same time, the universal principle of equitable geographic representation, which is applied in most of the UN bodies, must be complied with. Likewise, they stressed the need for the working methods and results of the Commission of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations and the Committee on the Application of Standards of the Conference to be more transparent and equitable.

The NAM Labour Ministers expressed their deep concern over the international financial and economic crisis and its negative consequences in the field of job and social protection, particularly in the developing countries, where the women, the youths, the children, the elders, the indigenous people and the migrants are the most affected sectors. They also noted that increased unemployment, poverty, marginalization, famine, malnutrition and informal work, caused by the adjustments made to deal with the crisis, could result in a social crisis that could only be avoided if the appropriate measures are rapidly taken.

The NAM Labour Ministers also expressed their concern over the danger that developed countries may reduce the already limited resources allocated to the Official Development Assistance (ODA), thus affecting programs with great social impact in developing countries, and demanded that donor countries should comply with their commitment to allocating 0,7% of their GDP to the ODA. They likewise urged developed countries to take relevant measures to comprehensively comply with their commitments to development assistance of countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean. They also called for increased investment in developing countries, so that this not only allows dealing with the crisis, but also favors job creation.

The NAM Labour Ministers affirmed that a serious, profound and rigorous analysis on the economic crisis and its impact in the context of the UN. They also expressed the need for a re-design of the international economic order and a restructuring of its financial architecture.

The NAM Labour Ministers urged the ILO to continue to participate in the efforts aimed at solving the crisis and minimizing its negative effects, through proposals to create jobs to reinforce the structure of social protection, to increase public investment, protection of fundamental principles and rights at work, as well as to foster social dialogue for recovery.

The NAM Labour Ministers reiterated their support for the South-South Cooperation, as well as triangular cooperation, which allows for the mobilization of additional resources very necessary for the execution of development programs, recognizing also that South-South Cooperation complements, it does not replace, North-South Cooperation.

The NAM Labour Ministers agreed to continue to hold these meetings in the context of the International Labour Conference, as a common forum to advance in their interests and priorities. They also encouraged NAM member countries to continue to act on a steadfast and coordinated manner within the ILO, the UN and in all international Bodies and Organizations which are related with this issue and adopt collective measures for the realization of their objectives.

June 15th, 2009, Geneva.

(Cubaminrex- Embacuba Ginebra)