First Euro-Mediterranean ministerial conference on employment and labour
© Fred Leloup
- from: 09.11.2008
- to: 10.11.2008
- In: Marrakech
Within the framework of the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean, and in line with the conclusions of the 9th Euro-Mediterranean meeting of foreign affairs ministers in Lisbon on 5 and 6 November 2007, the employment and labour ministers from the Euro-Mediterranean partner countries and European Commission representatives will meet on 9 and 10 November 2008 for their first ministerial conference in Marrakech, at the invitation of the Kingdom of Morocco. The conference, focusing on the human potential of the Euro-Mediterranean area, should be a highlight in the relations between the countries of both sides of the Mediterranean.
This meeting will be jointly chaired by the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union and by Egypt, the co-presidents of the Union for the Mediterranean. It will be preceded by a consultation of the European and Mediterranean social partners.
Following on from the conclusions of the Tampere, Lisbon and Marseilles ministerial conferences, the Marrakech conference will be an opportunity to examine various aspects of human development and to advance specific proposals aimed at fostering job creation, the modernisation of labour markets and decent work, in accordance with the International Labour Organization's approach. The ministers will also discuss the resources and tools to implement to give the Euro-Mediterranean project a social dimension.
Two themes will be central to the debates:
- employment growth, particularly jobs for women and young people, through supporting business start-ups and self-employment;
- the development of vocational training and initiatives to promote decent work which meets the International Labour Organization's decent work agenda.
The meeting will begin by an interview between ministers and high-level representatives of the social partners, designed to address the role that social dialogue plays in the economic transformation of the Euro-Mediterranean region.
The ministers will examine the modalities enabling this first Euro-Mediterranean event on issues of employment, labour and social development to be followed up.
- Updated: 30.12.2008
