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There can't be democracy without social justice, says Marzouki

There can't be democracy without social justice, says Marzouki
By Mwala Kalaluka in Geneva, Switzerland
Wed 13 June 2012, 13:23 CAT

MINORITY governments which ruled with iron and fire will never return, says newly-elected Tunisian President Mohamed Moncef Marzouki. And Spain's Prince Felipe says measures to halt the destruction of jobs should go together with measures to boost growth.

President Marzouki said in his first address to the ongoing International Labour Conference at the United Nations offices in Geneva on Friday that there can never be democracy without social justice.

President Marzouki, whose country sparked the Arab Spring uprisings through the ouster of president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali; one of the African leaders that stashed their loot in countries like Switzerland, warned the international community that failure to respond to popular demands for social justice could rapidly lead to violence.

"The people will never again accept poverty and marginalisation," he said in his address delivered in Arabic. "Democracy cannot survive without social justice. For Tunisia, this means seizing a historic opportunity brought about by the economic crisis and the revolution to achieve a more just society".

President Marzouki said he would draw lessons from the successful policies in other countries, especially those in Latin America, to stimulate economic activity and curb unemployment, which he described as a major crisis in his country, more so among the youth.

"Dialogue between the government, trade unions and employers is a high priority for Tunisia," he said, adding that this dialogue will lead to the signing on January 14, 2013 of a tripartite pact for social stability, with a focus on promotion of decent work.

President Marzouki hailed the International Labour Organisation's contribution to this process, as well as the support it has given Tunisia since December 2010.

However, President Marzouki conceded that achieving sustainable development in Tunisia would be a long and difficult battle.

And Prince Felipe of Asturias, who is heir to the Spanish throne, said in his address to the International Labour Conference that the economic crisis has painful consequences for the world of work.

"We fully realise that in order to achieve progress, we need to fight actively against unemployment so that our young people can obtain sustainable and decent work," Prince Felipe said.

"While there is no single solution to tackle the challenge of youth unemployment, it is essential to take an integrated approach which combines macro- and micro-economic interventions and that focuses on supply and demand in the labour market, as well as on the quality of jobs."

The 101st International Labour Conference which ends tomorrow will utilise reports from the various committees and hear addresses from President Ollanta Humala Tasso of Peru, President Ricardo Martinelli Beroccal of the Republic of Panama and Professor Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum.

A high-level panel discussion on the lessons from the crisis in the framework of the Global Jobs Pact has also been lined up for today.

Labels: SOCIAL CONTRACT

posted by MrK @ 2:22 PM