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US/APEC



30 July 1999 

Text: APEC Human Resources Development Senior Officials Report 
(Employment, macro-economic policies must be integrated)  (930)
SOURCE: US DEPARTMENT OF STATE

The Asian financial crisis has underscored the need to integrate
employment policies into macro-economic policy, senior officials of
the member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
forum said in a report for the third APEC Human Resources Development
Ministerial Meeting held in Washington, D.C. July 27-28.

"Member economies expressed broad agreement on the importance of
coordinated action to deal with the lingering social economic
dimensions of the Asian Financial Crisis and the need to build the
foundations for human resources development (HRD) in the 21st
century," the report reads. The participants also discussed labor
market programs, social safety nets and innovative workplace practices
that can sustain economic development and help promote widespread
prosperity.

Following is the text of the report of the 3rd APEC Human Resources
Development Ministerial Senior Officials Meeting:

(begin text)

3RD APEC HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT MINISTERIAL SENIOR OFFICIALS
MEETING

JULY 27-28, 1999

Member economies expressed broad agreement on the importance of
coordinated action to deal with the lingering social economic
dimensions of the Asian Financial Crisis and the need to build the
foundations for human resources development (HRD) in the 21st century.
The crisis has underscored the need to integrate employment policies
into macro-economic policy. Member economies discussed labor market
programs, social safety nets and innovative workplace practices that
can sustain economic development and help promote widespread
prosperity.

Reports of the Lead Shepherd, the APEC Secretariat Reports, and the
Task Force

Lead Shepherd Wang and Ambassador Hannah of the APEC Secretariat
provided overviews citing the key role that the Human Resources
Development Working Group plays within APEC. They noted the HRDWG's
input into other Working Groups and Ministerials dealing with the
Asian Financial Crisis and stressed the importance of the HRD WG's
continued interaction with other APEC fora. Member economies
recognized that human resource development issues are central to the
economic agenda. The report on the Activities of the HRD Task Force on
the Human Resource and Social Impacts of the Financial Crisis
highlighted the Task Force's prescriptions for responding to the

Crisis and its recommendations for future work by the HRD WG with
respect to the Crisis. Australia tabled a report on "Innovative
Practices in Labor Market Adjustment Policies and Programs in APEC
Member Economies, coordinated by the Labor Market Information Group.

Labor Market Systems

Korea presented a paper on Labor Market Systems. The member economies
noted that special programs are needed for women and youth and other
vulnerable populations who have suffered disproportionately from the
Asian economic crisis. The members acknowledged that development of
more effective, efficient and inclusive labor market systems are
essential for advancing economic development. Member economies
recognized that for some economies this requires a long-term effort.
This will require the participation of all of the stakeholders to
ensure that better and more responsive systems are developed that
stimulate broad-based economic development. The paper discussed the
importance of labor market efficiency and the crucial role of labor
market information systems. The members also expressed support for
continued efforts to develop labor market information systems.

Social Safety Nets: Protecting Vulnerable Populations

The paper presented by Chinese Taipei on Social Safety Nets outlined a
number of areas that require urgent attention not only with respect to
the lingering impact of the financial crisis, but also for the long
term. There was general agreement that much work must be done to
improve social safety nets and, in particular, to protect the most
vulnerable categories of workers, including women and youth, the
disabled, migrant workers, older workers and indigenous populations.
Member economies recognized the important role and contributions of
the private sector in addressing the immediate and long-term social
safety net problems and recognized the need to work closely with them
in this regard. They also noted that effective safety nets will need
to be comprehensive, but sustainable within the context of domestic
economic capabilities. The members acknowledged that this will be a
long term effort for those economies that either lack or have
inadequate social safety nets.

Building the Workplace for the 21st Century

The paper presented by Canada on Building the Workplace for the 21st
Century outlined some of the steps that governments can take to
encourage the development of better and more productive workplaces.
This would include, inter alia, enhanced dialogue with the
stakeholders as well as innovative approaches to industrial relations.
A number of economies noted the importance of skills development and
mentioned their governments' efforts in this area. Training for
displaced older workers and life-long training were cited as important
tools for improving labor market flexibility and countering opposition
to further trade liberalization and globalization.

Joint Ministerial Statement

Member economies reached agreement on a draft Joint Ministerial
Statement and Plan of Action that provides general policy guidance and
directions for concrete actions by the working group in the areas of
labor market systems, social safety nets and building the workplace of

the 21st century.

In the Joint Ministerial Statement the senior officials endorsed the
following objectives: (1) placing human resources development and
other employment policies at the center of economic policy and
cooperation, including the sharing of experiences and best practices,
in this era of increasing globalization; (2) increasing our
collaboration and information exchange with and among other regional
and international organizations and through enhanced cooperation among
government, labor, business and civil society; and (3) using the
diversity of APEC experiences to build upon existing knowledge and
sharing lessons learned.

END OF TEXT