ILO promotes job creation
Country Director of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for
Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Donglin Li, reiterated the organisation's
commitment to promote job creation in conflict affected areas. He was
speaking during his recent visit to the North. Li visited Jaffna,
Vavuniya and Kilinochchi recently and met senior government officials
and other stakeholders. He also met beneficiaries in the Pooneryn region
of the Kilinochchi district and Nadunkurny division in the Vavuniya
district, and was impressed with the improvement of the economic
situation of beneficiaries of the Local Economic Empowerment through
Economic Development (LEED) project.
ILO's LEED project, funded by the Government of Australia, has been
helping the region to generate more SMEs and develop market ties between
the north and south. It has also linked poor people to value chains in
the agriculture and fisheries sector.
At the opening of the Kilinochchi Chamber of Commerce by the
Federation Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), Li
stressed the importance of improving employment in the North,
particularly among female headed households, unemployed youth and the
disabled.
He said that employment is key to poverty reduction.
The ILO Director encouraged businesses to assist in improving the
economic situation and develop the microfinance and SME sector, thus
creating more job opportunities.
The ILO promotes Decent Work in the country through its programs and
projects, with employment generation being one of the priorities.
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