ILO Director General Vote: Mthunzi Mdwaba Promises Human Face

The United Nations International Labour Organisation, ILO, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, which promotes work rights, is looking for a new chief to replace Guy Ryder from the United Kingdom. Ryder steps down on September 30, 2022 after 10 years in the position. 

One Throne, Five Contestants 
Running against Prof. Mthunzi Mdwaba for Director General are four other contestants. They are former Togolese Prime Minister, Gilbert Houngbo, South Korean politician, Kang Kyung-wha, France’s former labour minister, Muriel Pénicaud, and the ILO’s Deputy Director General, Australian Greg Vines.
The initial stage of the selection process ran from January 20-21, 2022 with the holding of public dialogues with the candidates. This will be followed from March 14-15, 2022 when the ILO Governing Body conducts candidates’ hearings. To be concluded on March 25, 2022 with the vote for a new Director General. 

Mdwaba's Vision  
As the build-up to the March 25, 2022 election gathers steam, Prof. Mdwaba on Wednesday, March 3, 2022 held a virtual press conference with African journalists. “I will bring simplicity in the running of affairs,” he promised. “My goal is not just to get countries to ratify labour conventions, but to also ensure that the ILO gets a human face. People from the developed world must feel loved,” Mthunzi emphasized.

Competence, First!
According to him, the ILO is not as well known as it thinks it is, especially amongst the young. “In some countries, the ILO shares the same offices with other United Nations agencies – people who have no clue what the ILO does,” he explained. He said past International Labour Organisation Directors General seemed to have focused on ensuring the ratification of labour conventions instead of the implementation of these laws. “I want to be elected because I am the most competent and not because I am African,” Mdwaba clarified.

Child Labour 
Concerning child labour in Africa, he admitted that though the Child Labour Convention has reached universality, the continent does not create enough employment. “We must ensure our children get good education and then create their own jobs,” Mthunzi proposed. Adding, “This is why someone from a developed country needs to be ILO Director General.”

Minimum Wage 
He said African nations are often quick to ratify conventions, but poor at implementing them! Pointing out that Convention 131 on minimum wage is customised to suit the realities of each country. Because it is fixed taking into account each country’s cost of living and living standards.

Labour Rights
Mthunzi Mdwaba’s manifesto promises to reposition the ILO as an organisation that demonstrably cares for its people and its constituents, and delivers through consolidation of structures. If elected, Prof. Mdwaba also promises to ensure sustainable impact on global labour governance, combat informality in the labour domain and defend fundamental labour rights. He says he will meet his constituents’ expectations and needs by “demonstrating post-Covid-19 pandemic leadership and working collaboratively for sustained socio-economic solutions.” 

Need For Reforms
Prof. Mthunzi blames the current ILO structure for being top-down in approach. “Thi...