26-27 September 2018

The Future of Work We Want: Workers' Perspectives from Central and Lusophone African Countries

The conference will bring together together representatives from trade unions, governments, academia as well as employers to discuss the developments that are driving the world of work in the future.

Context


Based on the slogan “The future of work we want”, the subregional conference in Central African and Lusophone African Countries aims to reflect on the current developments in the world of work and how the countries can develop appropriate strategies to face the expected changes in future work. The role of unions in achieving this will be the focus of this conference.

The goal is to contribute to the Future of Work Centenary Initiative from a trade union perspective based on the unique issues faced by the member countries of  the sub-region and discussing possible policy responses, both of governments and social partners, as a means to promoting social justice and protecting the rights of working men and women.

Programme

26  September 2018

9:30-10:30 Inauguration

  • Remarks by Manuel Da Costa Carlos, General Secretary, UGT-CS of São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Welcome remarks by Ms Cynthia Samuel-Olonjuwon, ILO Regional Director for Africa, Abidjan
  • Opening remarks by Ms Maria Helena Andre, Director of ILO ACTRAV, Geneva
  • Opening remarks by His Excellency, Evaristo Carvalho, the President of Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe 

11:00-12:45 Special Dialogue 1: Setting up a future that fits everyone: giving a new role to politics


Facilitator: Ms Maria Helena Andre, Director, ILO ACTRAV Geneva

Panellists:
  • Mr Emilio Lima, Minister of Employment and Social Affairs, Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Mr Vincent Kouete, Head of Economics Department, Groupement Inter-Patronal du Cameroun (GICAM), Cameroun
  • Mr Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, General Secretary, African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation


14:00-15:30 Dialogue 1: Economic, social and sustainable development in a globalized world


Facilitator: Mr Mohammed Mwamadzingo, Regional Desk Officer for Africa, ILO ACTRAV Pretoria
Panellists:
  • Mr Americo Ramos, Minister of Trade, Finance and Blue Economy,São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Ms Maite Mendizabel, United National Development Programme, São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Mr Eduardo Elba, Federation of NGOs, FONG/ São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Cyrano Ombolo, Employment Intensive Investment Specialist, ILO/DWT Yaoundé

Comments from participants:
  • CSAC Cameroon
  • UNTC-CS Cape Verde
  • UGT-CS- São Tomé and Príncipe
  • UNTGB - Guinea Bissau
16:00-17:30 Dialogue 2: Role of Work in Society

Facilitator: Ms Anna Biondi, Deputy Director, ILO ACTRAV Geneva
Panellists:
  • Representative from Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Human Rights, São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Ms Maria Nazaré Ceita, University of São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Ms Maria Almeida, General Secretary, UNTC-CS, Carbo Verde
  • Ms Sabina Ramos, United Nations Development Programme, São Tomé and Príncipe
Comments from participants:
  • CNTC – Central African Republic
  • ONTSTP – Sao Tome and Principe
  • UNTC – Democratic Republic of Congo
  • COSYGA – Gabon 

27 September 2018

9:00-10:30 Special Dialogue 2: The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda


Facilitator: Ms Vera Lucia Perdigao-Pacquete, Director, ILO DWT Yaoundé
Panellists:
  • Mr  Afonso Varela, Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Parliamentary Affairs, São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Ms Zahira Virani,Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme, São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Honourable Professor Laure Pauline Fotso, University of Yaoundé
  • Professor Filipe Bonfim, Luciadas University of São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Mr Jorge Dias Correia, President of Employers Organization, São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Mr Sabin Kpokolo, General Secretary, Organization of Trade Unions of Central Africa (OSTAC)
Comments from participants:
  • UST – Chad
  • ONTSTP – São Tomé and Príncipe
  • CSC – Congo

11:00-12:45 Dialogue 3: Challenges of effective governance in an increasingly globalized world

Facilitator: Ms. Marinna Nyamekye, Workers’ Specialist, ILO DWT Yaoundé
Panellists:
  • Mr Vincent Kouete, Head of Economics Department, Groupement Inter-Patronal du Cameroun (GICAM), Cameroun
  • Professor Celcio Quaresma, University of São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Mr Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, General Secretary, African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation
  • Representative of Ministry of planning, São Tomé and Príncipe
  • José Paquete d'Alva Teixeira, University of São Tomé and Príncipe
Comments from participants:
  • ONTSTP- São Tomé and Príncipe
  • UNTA-CS Angola
  • UNTC-CS Cape Verde
  • OSTAC

14:00-15:00 Closing ceremony

Ms Maria Helena Andre, Director of ACTRAV