By A Correspondent
Baku, Nov. 22: The Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) in preparation for the 5th Islamic Conference of Labour Ministers got underway with the theme “Innovative Solutions and Digitalization of Labour and Employment Services in OIC Member States” here Tuesday.
In his capacity as the Secretary-General’s representative at the conference, Dr. Ahmad Kawesa Sengendo, the OIC Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs, stressed the importance of the conference’s focus on important technological developments and policy directions pertinent to labor, employment, and societal development within OIC Member States, given the concerning trend of rising unemployment, particularly among young people.
One resilient aspect throughout the pandemic, according to Dr. Sengendo, was the introduction of new worker categories in the platform economy. He underlined how the platform economy can create jobs through flexible work schedules and additional revenue streams, especially for young people and women.
Dr. Sengendo emphasized how important it is for OIC countries to improve their training and education systems. This calls for an emphasis on critical thinking, digital literacy, and career training that is in line with developing industries – all of which are essential for both economic expansion and future employment prospects. He stressed that teaching students how to study is a crucial ability that 21st century educational institutions should instill in them so they can pursue lifelong learning.
He emphasized the value of frequent discussions and experience exchanges via the Islamic Conference of Labour Ministers, urging Member States to take practical steps in implementing OIC cooperation frameworks, especially the OIC Framework on Labour, Employment, and Social Protection and OIC Labour Market Strategy.
He also stressed the necessity for OIC Member States to extend support to the OIC Labour Centre, which is a new specialized institution that will focus on labor, employment, and social protection issues, contributing significantly to the implementation of OIC resolutions and initiatives through relevant activities and projects.
Simultaneously, a Senior Officials’ meeting in preparation for the Ministerial Session of the Inaugural Session of the General Assembly of the OIC Labour Center was conducted at the same venue. The senior officials reviewed progress in implementing ICLM resolutions, the OIC Labour Market Strategy, and various activities aimed at addressing unemployment, enhance workforce capacity, and improve social protection, among other agenda items.
