By Funmi Komolafe in Geneva
GENEVA—Minister of Labour and Productivity, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, has called on the international community to find a political solution to the current global economic problems.
Kayode,who spoke at a meeting of Ministers of Labour of the Non-Aligned Movement in Geneva, Switzerland, said,
“We have to note that the factors and circumstances leading to the current global economic problems, like HIV/AIDS will soon end up being an African or the Third World crisis.â€
Emphasing that these African and Third World countries are principally  members of the International Labour Organisation, he said, Nigeria supports, “ILO to use the Global Jobs Pact to help alleviate the socio- economic impact of this. crisis.â€
However, he said this could only be an interim measure.
The minister said, “We urge you to know that in the long run, we must all find a political solution to the crisis, which may be likened to either neo-colonialism or neo-imperialism,”
The minister said, Nigeria was in full support of “the working methods of the committee on the application of standards and the extention of the commitee on the freedom of association.”
Kayode added,“If the principles captured in this declaration is adopted and mainstreamed into the committee on the application of standards it will no doubt ensure our belief and commitment to the principles of ILO and the Non-Aligned Movement.â€
He said “ we ( Nigeria) are in support of the delcaration of need to enhance the memebership of the committeee to include the interests of Africans and other emerging societies . We must emphasize that the economic challenges facing these countries as well as throus and pangs of poverty are part of the challenges of compliance with the resolution of the ILO as well as the Decent Work Agendaâ€.
The minister congratulated ILO on its 90th anniversary which he noted, “ also marks the 50th anniversary of ILO in Nigeria. While we celebrate your excellency on this occasion, we believe the occasion itself provides us with an opportunity to think and reflect.â€
Meanwhile, vice-president, Goodluck Jonathan will participate in a vice-presidential panel discussion on “ managing the national jobs agenda in times of crisisâ€.
Other speakers include, the vice presidents of South Africa and Mr. Kgalema Motlanthe, and Mr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka of Kenya. Vice-president, Goodluck Jonathan is due to return home later in the evening.
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