President to address ILO conference

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will deliver a speech at the 100th International Labor Organization (ILO) Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, June 1-17, 2011, along with three other heads of state.

Presidential spokesman for International Relations Teuku Faizasyah said here Tuesday that, besides Yudhoyono, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will also address ILO conference.

According to schedule, Finnish President Tarja Halonen will deliver a speech after President Yudhoyono, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will also have their turn.

Each head of state would convey their views related to the 100th ILO Conference commemoration themed "Building a future with decent work". 

On the occasion, President Yudhoyono would call for the protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (TKI) in other countries.

In a press conference before his departure to Switzerland at the Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport, Jakarta, the President said he would ask the countries where the migrant workers are working to provide protection and meet all their rights.

President Yudhoyono also said that the Indonesian government will also ensure that employment policies will always be oriented to improve the welfare of workers.

The ILO invitation to deliver a speech at its 100th conference was considered as an international recognition of Indonesia`s success in dealing with workforce issues in the global crisis of 2008 to prevent layoffs, the president said.

Indonesia is also seen as a country that seriously address labor problem after has ratified eight labor conventions.

The Head of State is accompanied by the First Lady Ani Yudhoyono in Geneva from June 13 to June 15, 2011. 

The President arrived on Monday night, and scheduled to leave for Switzerland on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Indonesian delegation to the conference include Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Muhaimin Iskandar, Chairman of the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO) Sofyan Wanandi, and labor union representative .

In addition to deliver a speech, the President is also scheduled to hold a meeting with United Nations Office Director General Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Margaret Chan and UN Secretary General Special Envoy for Disaster Risk Reduction Margareta Wahlstrom.

The President will also receive Nestle`s executive vice president and CEO of Nandu Nandkishore Omega Critophe Berthaud.
Source: ANTARA