ILO INTER-REGIONAL KNOWLEDGE SHARING FORUM

5 to 7 May 2016

Hotel Colbert, Antananarivo

Welcome remarks by M. Christian Ntsay

Director ILO-Antananarivo

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the ILO-Antananarivo staff, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you all - tripartite constituents, colleagues of Addis Ababa, Colleagues of Geneva and resource persons - to Madagascar for this knowledge sharing forum.

I express my gratitude to the ILO Regional Director, M. Aenaes Chuma for his choice to carry out this forum in Antananarivo; I see this decision as an opportunity for my office to enhance the capacity of the country to deal with the issues on migrant domestic workers. I indeed want to share with you that the ILO Antananarivo has been contacted by tripartite constituents to undertake concrete action to tackle the issue that are affecting vulnerable women. And this request also aims to contributing to achieve the two country priorities of the Decent Work Country Programme of Madagascar: (i) Promote access of vulnerable groups to employment by enhancing their employability and boosting employment generating sectors, (ii) improve labor productivity by promoting social dialogue, fundamental principles and rights at work and social protection. The presence of Honourable Minister at this opening ceremony witnesses the commitment of Madagascar to be part of global solution on migrant workers.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is recognized the fact that Madagascar is a source country for women subject to migrant domestic workers. Though official figures are missing, it is estimated that thousands of Malagasy women are employed as domestic workers in Lebanon, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia; a smaller number of workers seek employment in Jordan, Mauritius, and Seychelles. Many of the women migrating are illiterate single mothers from rural areas and vulnerable to deception and abuse by recruitment agencies, mostly informal, and employers. Victims returning from Gulf countries report various forms of abuse and exploitation they endured during their work experience.

Given the situation, I am confident that the participation of Malagasy tripartite constituents in this forum will be helpful to acquire knowledge to strategize future action for the country. I also can anticipate that you all will be learning from the experience of the country. The discussion during this forum will help all the participating countries to build capacities to overcome the problem.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

To end my allocution, I would wish you a very fruitful forum and hope you will enjoy your stay in Antananarivo. If this is your first time in Madagascar, please enjoy the tourism feature that the country is offering you. And for those who had been here before, let take this opportunity to deepen your knowledge of the country.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you.