Uganda elected as the new Bureau for the African Union specialized Social Development Committee.
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Uganda has been elected as the new Bureau for the African Union (AU’s) Specialized Committee on Social Development, Labour and Employment, a position that accords the country a higher profile in running the sectoral affairs at the African Body, African Union. The leadership tenure spans two years and as for the next two years, Uganda is to lead the Committee.

The Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon. Amongi Betty Ongom, on behalf of Uganda, assumed the seat on Thursday during the 4th Ordinary Session of the committee held at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The committee, which reports directly to the AU’s Executive Council, is tasked with promoting and developing cooperation amongst African countries in the field of social protection, labour, employment, productivity and poverty alleviation.

It also reviews and harmonises Member States’ policies and legislation, and coordinates Common African Positions to advance African interests, promote tripartism and freedom of association, collective bargaining and decent work.

The committee further reviews and assesses progress made by Member States and Regional Economic Communities in implementing the various instruments and policies that advance social protection.

In her inaugural speech, Hon. Amongi called for a critical review of sectors that have been most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and how African economies can realize post COVID-19 recovery through focusing on Social Development, Labour and Employment.

“Unless we push harder to establish safety nets in form of social protection, social security, and stimulus economic packages, among others, to build resilience through establishing cushioning mechanisms, our economies will be harshly bruised by the economic downsizing,” she said.

She called for social dialogue at all levels as a key tool for developing and implementing sustainable solutions that are tailor-made to unique realities of the domains of Social Development, Labour and Employment.

Hon. Amongi commended the outgoing Bureau for the Committee and requested for support to the Ugandan Bureau.