Catumbela – The chance of Angola hosting a CPLP sub-regional office was under debate on the second day of the 15th meeting of senior representatives taking place since Tuesday in Catumbela, Benguela province.
Speaking to ANGOP, the spokesperson for the event, Davide Kinjica, said that a draft resolution on the subject will be submitted for political decision and it is expected to be ratified by the CPLP Ministers of Labour on May 18, 2023.
One of the hottest points in today's debates, according to Davide Kinjica, was the multilateral convention on social protection.
“This matter was adopted in 2003, in East Timor, but given its complexity, some CPLP members have not yet ratified the document, including Angola”, because of specific rules in each country.
He highlighted that “it is not just a matter for the Ministry of Public Administration, Labor and Social Protection, but also for Finance, the National Bank of Angola and Foreign Affairs, as the recognition of documents and the certification of the time count will be at stake”.
Multilateral convention on social protection opens up the possibility for Angolans working in Portugal to expatriate their contributions or receive their retirement pensions here, as well as Portuguese or expatriates of other CPLP nationalities working in Angola do the same in their countries.
Despite its complexity, Davide Kinjica expressed confidence that, despite the heated debates, the community is committed to solving this problem for the benefit of all.
Other important topics, which also deserved special attention, were the fight against child labor and forced labor.
According to the spokesperson, at the end of the meeting, there will be a declaration, called “Declaration of Benguela”, which will reflect the commitment that the members will assume on the points discussed.
The 15th meeting of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries is running under the motto: “For social justice and decent work for all” and it is the first one to be held outside Luanda, in Angola.
