Accra, April 12, GNA - The Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, Stephen Amoanor Kwao, has returned home from Abidjan, where he attended the Second Conference of Ministers of Labour and Employment of ECOWAS countries.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency on arrival at the Kotoka International Airport, the Minister said the conference received and adopted a regional policy on labour and the formulation of a regional plan of action for ECOWAS.

He said the Ministers looked at various proposals and geared towards the harmonisation of labour policies in West Africa. Mr Kwao said, key among them were employment creation, youth empowerment, and poverty alleviation strategies.

He said the conference later adopted a draft international standard on labour, employment promotion and development, the call for social dialogue and the dignity of labour with a special focus on an agenda calling for the recognition of the interest of those who are socially marginalised. 12 April 09