ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- The African Union (AU) said Thursday Africa needs visionary leadership to advance its level of development.

    "If Africa is to move from poverty to advanced level of development, there is the need to have visionary leadership and commitment on the part of government and stakeholders," said Bience Gawanas, AU commissioner for social affairs, at a one-day regional conference of labor ministers.

    She said there must be good governance, long-term planning, appropriate policies and structures to implement programs and for proper management of material, human and financial resources.

    According to the AU official, employment issues must be placed at the center of poverty reduction programs in order to address the needs of vulnerable groups.

    She called for an appropriate framework for government's intervention in the relations between workers and management.

    Dozens of labor ministers are attending conference with the aimof strengthening labor, social dialogue. Enditem