Mr. President,

The Group of 77 and China strongly endorses the theme and focus of this high-level segment on "Promoting productive capacity, employment and decent work to eradicate poverty in the context of inclusive, sustainable and equitable economic growth at all levels for achieving the Millennium Development Goals" and takes note of the report of the Secretary-General E/2012/63 submitted to this segment.

The Group notes with concern that the current financial and economic crisis has exacerbated the jobs crisis. Global unemployment is estimated to have increased from 170 million in 2007 to an unprecedented high of 197 million in 2011. A decrease in labour force participation masked an even worse unemployment and underemployment scenario.

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), baseline projections suggest a further increase in global unemployment, up to 200 million in 2012 (of which about 75 million would be young people and 84 million female) and 206 million in 2016. As joblessness persists, the scars it leaves on individuals, families and the cohesion of societies will deepen. ILO estimates also that the overall share of workers in vulnerable employment has now reached 1.53 billion, equivalent to over half (50.1 per cent) of the world's labour force. This precarious jobs situation is exacerbated by the uncertain nature and pace of economic recovery. We are facing a world-wide employment emergency.

Largely as a result of the employment emergency, which affects in particular developing countries, the number of people without adequate nutrition has increased to an all-time record, and many years of progress in reducing extreme poverty have been compromised. Employment has been the most powerful engine of poverty eradication; unemployment and underemployment do not merely slow that progress, but threaten to reverse it. A prolonged jobs deficit is damaging the economic and social fabric of countries around the world. Action is urgently needed to boost productive capacities, investment and the number of decent jobs and to sustain the incomes of working families, the poor and the vulnerable.

Women are disproportionately represented in precarious work situations. Around the world, women face the risks of short hours, low pay and limited access to benefits. Precarious work is a key factor contributing to the global pay gap between men and women.

Mr. President,

The G77 and China wishes to share some observations about the pathways to foster international cooperation to formulate and implement coordinated national, regional and multilateral efforts to foster accelerated employment and inclusive, sustainable growth. And what to be accomplished to address the challenges we are facing today?

We must reaffirm the resolve to make the goals of full and productive employment and decent work for all, including for women and young people, a central objective of our relevant national and international policies as well as our national development strategies, including poverty eradication strategies, as part of our efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
 
In this regard, we call on developed countries, and the United Nations system, including the International Financial Institutions, within their respective mandates, to increase the support to developing countries, particularly through financial support, technical assistance and capacity building, with a view to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development. Additional efforts could be made to strengthen coherence and work in partnership to enhance policy dialogue.

We urge the relevant entities of the United Nations system, international and regional organizations, within their respective mandates, as well as civil society, the private sector, employer organizations, trade unions, media and other relevant actors: To continue to develop and strengthen policies, strategies and programmes to enhance the employability of women and ensure their access to full and productive employment and decent work, including through improving access to formal and non-formal education and vocational training, lifelong learning and retraining, long-distance education, including in information and communications technology and entrepreneurial skills, particularly in developing countries, with a view to supporting women's economic empowerment in the different stages of their lives.

We hold the view that the Economic and Social Council could serve as a forum for global discussion of such matters, through its annual ministerial reviews and dialogues with the international financial and trade institutions. The Council's Development Cooperation Forum could facilitate a dialogue on how development cooperation can promote employment, decent work and social protection floors.
       
We endorse the recommendation formulated in the report of the Secretary-General which indicates that consideration should be given to the establishment of a standing agenda item of the General Assembly and/or the Economic and Social Council entitled "Full employment and decent work for all". This would help promote coherent and complementary policies, stronger monitoring of commitments, mainstreaming into the activities of United Nations agencies and programmes, and more effective integration of the three pillars of sustainable development.

We call for all stakeholders to contribute to decent work for all and job creation for both women and men, and particularly for young people and to support the Secretary-General's call for a stronger partnership with and for young people by strengthening the youth focus on programmes on employment entrepreneurship, political inclusion, citizenship and protection of rights and education. A Global Strategy on employment for young people needs to be launched and should be addressed through an intergovernmental process.

Thank you.