The member for Rai Coast and Minister for Labour & Employment Kessy Sawang recently announced the extension of the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) to 2025. Sawang said, the first DWCP was signed in 2008 and the relative consistency in the focus on successive programmes on the key priorities of Labour Law Reforms, Employment Creation, Skills Training Development, and Capacity Building of the institutions of Government’s social partners. “So there has been a consistent team in the Decent Country Work Programme that has come through. I am also pleased that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the government social partners which is the workers and employers’ reps supported my proposal to extend the DWCP 2022.” Minister Sawang stated that under her leadership, she reinvigorated the National Tripartite Consultative Council which was dormant for five years and met three times this year. “Some of the key things we discussed and got approval from the social partners is to extend the DWCP for a year so we can come up with a new one and also review the Minimum Wage after ten years.” She said, though the time frame has been extended, the priorities remain unchanged and that’s to refresh, rearm the team and accelerate the pace of implementation on the priorities that are yet to be completed. Sawang acknowledged the partnership between the Social Partners and the United Nations for their strong and constant support to the many ILO programs that are delivered in PNG. She also challenged the Social Partners and the Government to really improve in the areas such as: : Promote the reform of the Labour Law and labour administration in line with the international standards. : Promote productive and decent employment opportunities, particularly for young women and men, · The Labour Force Survey, · And creating 1million jobs : Promote more effective social dialogue and tripartite cooperation Labour & Industrial Relation Secretary, George Taunakekei, said the decision for the extension of the DWCP is a noble one as it allows concentration, focus and commitment for the team to see it through that the implementation of these priorities are carried out. “The continued commitment and support of ILO to provide technical and policy support is second to none and we are grateful to ILO for the enormous support in resources. We just concluded a long workshop on Social Protection as well as a workshop on fishing for our fishers." "The world of work continues to evolve and our capacity as a government mechanism to deliver continuously faced challenges but with the DCWP platform, we can deliver as one”, said Taunakekei.