BUSINESSMED had the honour of participating, on 5 December 2019 in Barcelona, in the discussions of the 9th High Level Working Group of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) on Employment and Labour.

The objective of the meeting was to take stock of the ministerial recommendations adopted in Cascais on 3 April 2019, namely to support the creation of decent jobs and entrepreneurship, to mobilize public and private actors to create partnerships and synergies, to develop inclusive labour markets to integrate potentially vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, and to invest in quality education and training systems, skills and employability in a changing world of work. The High Level Working Group also provided an opportunity to discuss its roadmap up to 2022.

The meeting was also an opportunity to present the results and objectives achieved under the SOLID project, a pilot programme that has resulted in a charter to promote social dialogue in the Southern Mediterranean. That program has led to a better understanding of the economic and social situation in the target countries through close cooperation between the social partners and civil society organisations.