"The International Organization of Employers whole-heartedly welcomes progressive initiatives taken by member Employer Organizations around the world. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for mutually beneficial cooperation and collaboration between South Asian Forum of Employers and ASEAN Confederation of Employers is a move in the right direction."
This was stated by Erol Kiresepi, President of IOE while presiding over the signing ceremony at International Labour Conference 2018 at Palais de Nations Geneva. Kiresepi further stated that this is the Century of Asia and the South Asian and ASEAN Employers Organizations must join hands to create a better environment for employment, trade, investment and share best practices. He offered the full support of IOE in assisting both Forums in achieving the objectives.
Majyd Aziz, President South Asian Forum of Employers as well as President Employers Federation of Pakistan, remarked that SAFE is now becoming a structured body and will be undertaking joint surveys on wages, Non-Tariff Measures, Non-Tariff Barriers, and lobby for easy visa facilitation, more trade and investment and promoting the rights of Employers. He said ACE is better placed to provide support to members of both forums. He said at present Bhutan and Maldives are not members of SAFE but they will be invited as observers in the next SAFE meeting.
He disclosed that the 8th Annual SAFE meeting would be held in New Delhi in February 2019. He said Dutch Employers Cooperation Programme and ACT/EMP of ILO sponsor and support SAFE meetings and projects. Ancheta Tan, President of ACE, said that he appreciated the enlightened thinking of SAFE members and assured that ACE will provide all assistance, guidance and advice to SAFE. He offered to host a joint meeting of both bodies soon so that a joint pragmatic strategy for the future could be developed. He paid tributes to Majyd Aziz for his proactive attitude and said that under his leadership EFP has become a strong organization and he is confident that SAFE will become a forceful representative of six South Asian countries. Kanishka Weerasinghe Vice President SAFE and Director General Employers Federation of Ceylon and Eko Nugroho Director APINDO Indonesia were also present and signed as witnesses to the MOU.-PR