A two-men delegation from the International Labour Organization (ILO) is currently in the country holding a series of meetings that started on Thursday 18 July, 2002.The head of information section of the ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs. ‘Mampiti Lekholoane said the purpose is to pave way for the implementation of a new Technical Cooperation Project of Strengthening Labour Administration in Southern Africa (SLASA).

She stated that the objective of the project is to improve the application of the ratified fundamental conventions and hence promote stable economic growth beneficial to the countries, businesses and workers. She pointed out that the project will help to bring labour legislation into conformity with ratified ILO conventions, strengthen the institutional capacities of the ministries of labour, labour courts, office of the labour commissioner, support social dialogue as well as strengthening the capacities of the dispute resolution systems.

Mrs. Lekholoane, said the delegation has held talks with the minister of Labour and Employment, Mr. Sello Machakela, the Principal Secretary, as well as national employer and employees organizations. She said the delegation has also met the president of the  Labour Court Mr. Lebereko Lethobane and the Directorate of Dispute, Prevention and Resolutions (DDPR).

She explained that the objective of the meetings is to get from the involved bodies, how they administer issues pertaining to labour and employment within their trade unions and organizations so that the project can address problems encountered. It is a three-year project, which is carried out in four countries namely Lesotho, Botswana, Zambia and Malawi. The project has already started in Zambia. 

19 July, 2002.