Their news [Archives:2008/1141/Local News]

– Urgent need for policy makers to better adapt to changing labour markets

A worldwide survey launched today by the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) reveals the urgent need for policy makers to adapt more effectively to the changing needs of global labour markets.

The IOE's “Trends in the Workplace 2008” provides comparative data between countries and regions on current labour market issues and trends from an employers' perspective. With this annual publication, the IOE aims to regularly inform policy makers on key labour issues and trends, which are likely to impact the world economy. This year the survey indicates an urgent need for national policy makers to adapt in a more effective and timely manner to changes in the global labour markets. Some of the more prominent factors impacting the labour markets include the following:

– More women and migrants are working than ever before;

– There is a growing demand from workers for more flexible working arrangements;

– Employers are anticipating major labour market implications as a result of demographic changes;

– Faster growing economies are not turning out enough skilled school-leavers and graduates – employers are not satisfied with the skills of new labour market entrants;

– Enterprises across all regions indicate a shortage in the types of skill that really fit their needs;

– 'Doing' business (i.e. carrying out standard business activities) still remains a challenge in far too many economies; and

– A vast majority of governments are still not making cost/impact analyses of their labour and social legislation.

Launching the survey, Antonio Penalosa, IOE Secretary-General, noted that “if countries hope to benefit from new markets or become destinations of choice for investors, then serious efforts will be required to get the balance right on labour legislation; the right skills flowing into the labour market; an increased focus on management performance; and a culture and environment conducive to business start-up and development”.

– Arab civil society meets to advance international justice strategies in region

The Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC) will hold its second Regional Strategic Meeting for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) from 29-31st March 2008 at the Flamenco Hotel in Cairo, Egypt. Participants will include civil society members and national coalition leaders from eleven Arab countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen.

A press conference with CICC and Egyptian ICC campaigners will be held on Monday, 31st March at 1:00 p.m. in the Picasso room at the Flamenco Hotel in Zamalek, Cairo.

Expected key outcomes of the meetings with Arab civil society and government officials are as follows:

_ A statement by Arab civil society in support of increased regional ratification of the Rome Statute, and a call for greater Arab cooperation with the Court.

_ An appeal to the Arab League to adopt a common position in support of the ICC given the new Arab Charter for Human Rights, which was announced by the League of Arab States on Saturday, 15th March 2008.

_ Two-year action plans for civil society that includes pro-ICC outreach strategies for national and regional media, jurists, NGOs, academia and government officials.

Specific to Egypt's position on the ICC, the Coalition will hold a closed NGO roundtable on March 30th that will focus on the campaign for Egyptian ratification of the Rome Statute.

– Ikhwan Thabit train on marketing and distribution strategies

On March 17 Ikhwan Thabit Group (ITG) organized a workshop on marketing and distribution strategies with collaboration with the International Finance Institution (IFI) at the World Bank represented by Business Edge.

A representative from the ITG said in the opening speech,” This workshop is the beginning of cooperation between the ITG and the IFI which we hope to continue to encompass different aspects targeting building capacities of the group in order to provide the best services to the consumer.”” He added that