The Government of South Africa, in conjunction with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), have the honour of inviting you to the 12th Regional Seminar for Labour-intensive construction. The seminar takes place from the 8 - 12 October 2007 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

Under the theme “Prioritising Employment Creation in Government Policies; and Investments in Infrastructure Programmes” the seminar aims to highlight ongoing measures being implemented to address the challenges of unemployment and underemployment faced by many developing countries. The focus will be on successful experiences and possible new solutions for increasing the impact of investments and government programmes on employment creation.

The 12th Regional Seminar for Labour-intensive construction will mark a shift of focus beyond simple promotion of labour-based technologies, to a focus on increasing employment impact of public sector investments and programmes in particular. The intention is that decisions will then not have to be limited to a simplistic choice between labour-based versus equipment- based technologies, but rather on how to maximise the impact of government investment towards job creation.

The seminar will be more than a forum for exchanging best practices. It will provide the opportunity to link political commitments in the fields of employment creation, public works programmes, investment and infrastructure to concrete areas of action.

The five-day seminar will consist of plenary paper presentations and discussions, exhibitions, and one full day dedicated to field visits to Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) project sites in and around KwaZulu Natal. A welcome cocktail on the 8th October, a gala dinner on the 9th October, and a farewell dinner on the 12th October will enable networking between the participants. To participate in this conference please click here to register.

Yours in development,
Thoko Didiza, MP
Minister of Public Works