CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

Speech Delivered by the Minister of Labour and Social Security of the Republic of Cuba, Margarita M. Gonzalez  Fernandez.  99th  Meeting of the ILO Conference
June 15, 2010

Mr. Chairman:
Distinguished Delegates:
The topics concerning jobs, labour rights and social protection in today’s conditions worldwide need to be entirely analyzed, in depth and with responsibility so that the measures we propose could be effective.
In times of global crisis, as the one we are living in, caused by the rich but suffered primarily by the poor, it is essential to strengthen multilateralism, to preserve world peace, to respect the principles of International Law and fulfil the basic principles that are source of inspiration of this Organization.
Development and social justice will not be achieved without transforming the obsolete structures of today’s political order and the unfair international economic order, without implementing the commitments on aid for development, without preserving the environment and seeking out solutions only within a group of the privileged who do not represent our people but are indebted for centuries of exploitation and who are responsible for the under-development affecting the South of the planet.  We all have the right to be part of the search for solutions.
The loss of millions of jobs, and brutal cut-backs in budgets for social assistance and security represent some of the worst consequences of this crisis.  We are talking about millions of human beings deprived of meaningful means of subsistence. The 56 percent of humankind lives in conditions of extreme poverty, in absolute neglect; 215 million children are still trapped in child labour: several countries are already suffering from the ravages of environment degradation and climate change.
Circumstances dictate systematic action which is coordinated and committed with the fundamental interests of workers and peoples, leading towards paying off the accumulated social debt, to attain sustainable development that is conducive to sustained economic growth, environmental protection, reduction of inequities, and achievement of full-fledged social justice.
Real political will is required to confront the failure of neoliberalism and the practices that unleashed and aggravated the impact of the crisis; to wipe out hunger, poverty and illiteracy; to prevent and cure the diseases and improve living conditions for millions of human beings.
Today, with cooperation alternatives among the South peoples being developed, we are aware, more than ever before, of the need to create a new political and economic order that allow us to coordinate efforts and actions; only in that way can we eradicate the disastrous consequences of the crisis, create decent jobs, guarantee social security for all, fulfil the Millennium Development Goals and turn the fundamental principles and labour rights into reality.
The International Labour Organization faces the challenge of endorsing and implementing innovative programmes and initiatives that promote these conditions and facilitate transition towards more equitable and fair societies. We can contribute indeed to change the current order imposed on all of us.
Half a century after the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, the people of Cuba continues to suffer from the unfair imposed economic, trade and financial blockade, the media attacks and political manipulations that have not been able to subdue our unchangeable will to struggle for a better world, the one we all hope for and believe to be possible.
Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates, from the last Meeting of the International Labour Conference until the present date, we cannot deny the fact that conditions of poor countries have worsened. Unemployment, job insecurity, social vulnerability, and the impact caused by natural disasters have increased. None of these problems will be solved unless the most powerful countries honour their duty with development aid and the preservation of the environment. This requires the immediate implementation of job programmes and the concession of security guarantees and social assistance, with no exclusions or political conditions, but with respect, equity and justice.
Thank you very much.

(Cubaminrex- Embacuba Ginebra)