A three-day capacity training on International Labour Organisation (ILO) Constitutional Reporting yesterday began at the Senegambia Beach Hotel. Organised by the department of State for Trade, Industry and Employment in collaboration with the ILO office based in Dakar, the three-day event was meant to build capacities of social partners like government, employers, trade unions and workers organisation to respond positively to the reporting obligations of The Gambia to the International Labour Organisation.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Yusupha A Kah, the permanent secretary at the Department of State for Trade, Industry and Employment - deputising for SoS Abdou Kolley, said the government of The Gambia and non-state stakeholders are fully convinced that in a world of growing independence and complexity, the ILO fundamental values of freedom, human dignity, security and non-discrimination are essential for the development of individual, collective capacities and economic efficiency.

PS Kah further stated that respect for the principles and rights enshrined in the fundamental conventions of the ILO has always been a prime concern of the government of The Gambia noting that the government is aware of the provision in article 22 of the IlO constitution, which provides that each of the members agrees to make an annual report to the ILO on measures which it has taken to give effect to the provision of conventions to which it is a party.

"These reports shall be made in such form and shall contain such particulars as the governing body may request. In October 2008, the ILO agreed to provide technical assistance to The Gambia on decent work country programme," he said.

He expressed gratitude to the ILO on behalf of The Gambia government for their support and collaboration with the government of The Gambia in its drive to maintain social justice and eradication of poverty.

For her part, Cecile Balima Vittin, the ILO standard senior specialist in the ILO sub-regional office for West Africa, which is based in Dakar, said that since 1919, the ILO has maintained and developed the system of ILS aimed at promoting opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and dignity.

"One of the main challenges that we all face is to make markets work better for many people. Today, over 3,000 people die everyday because of work related accidents and diseases," she said.