Equally important to the reforms themselves is the method through which they are formulated. The format chosen for this Conference is in support of inclusive policy-making through broad participation. When a variety of stakeholders (government, parliament, business and labour) engage collectively in a vigorous and open debate about the direction of socio-economic policies in a country, the end result has a far better chance of succeeding once introduced and implemented. While each stakeholder will not always attain all, or even most, of what they seek, the openness of the process will help to ensure a greater diversity of opinion and acceptance of the final product, including on the basis of the inevitable and necessary compromise.
While it is incumbent upon government policy-makers to include non-government stakeholders in the policy-making process, it is equally important for these non-government stakeholders (business and labour) to participate in the policy-making process in a serious and transparent manner. Business and labour associations must represent the positions and opinions of their membership and not narrow personal interests. The policy-making process can only be effective when all stakeholders are presenting the true representations of their constituents needs.
From an international perspective this is not a neutral process. In the course of many decades standards have been developed that have been codified through international conventions and policy compacts. I would like therefore to summarize five key objectives and commitments that would be of benefit to many Iraqis and would place Iraq into the center of progress.
1) Reducing the incidences of youth unemployment, compounded by the rapid growth in the labour force.
2) Reinforcing democratic governance and social change through freedom of association and collective bargaining.
3) Enhancing social justice, including in the fair sharing of wealth that workers contribute in creating and establishing the floor of social protection that is financially sustainable.
4) Empowering trade unions and civil society actors to cooperate in a wider social movement.
5) Promoting robust social dialogue structures and institutions – including employers associations and trade unions – that can exercise effective checks and balances and thus enforce fair and participative governance.
In closing, I would like to emphasize that the social and economic future of Iraq will be determined by Iraqis. The UN, World Bank and the international community can play a supporting role in assisting the government and citizens of Iraq in bringing about the change they seek in their social and economic future. It is through conferences such as this in which all stakeholders have legitimate input that Iraqis will determine the course they seek to take in these matters. I wish you wholeheartedly a succesful conference and pledge UN support for the next stages.
(Source: UNAMI)
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