PNG’s Labor and Industrial Relations Minister Mark Maipakai said the agreement was made between the government and ILO regional director for Asia and the Pacific region, Sachiko Yamamoto, during the ILO conference in Geneva two weeks ago.
“This is a milestone decision and I welcome the idea for the establishment of the office after so many years, as it will promote and enhance the functions of the ministry for the good of our working class population and the youths,” Maipakai said.
He said it would further promote and make interventions, through projects and other related activities, aimed at equitable development and poverty reduction through skills development and social protection.
Maipakai added that it would also strengthen the capacity of local and national authorities in the formulation, implementation and enforcement of policies and legislations. Once established, the office would monitor and coordinate ILO activities including projects recently launched in Port Moresby such as education, employment and decent work for youths, child labor and small scale business which have been direct priority request for the department since 2000.
Funding to set up the office will come from ILO while the Industrial Relations department will make available the office space.
