Press releases

November 1999

  1. Press release

    More than 140 million denied access to health care in Latin America and the Caribbean

    29 November 1999

    GENEVA (ILO News) - In Latin America and the Caribbean, "more than 140 million people, that is a third of the total population, do not have access to health services", ILO Executive Director Mary Chinery-Hesse told delegates assembled today in Mexico at the opening of an international conference on health care in Latin America and the Caribbean. 1 This means that one out of three persons in the region has no permanent access to health care services.

  2. Press release

    Globalization boosts economic growth But risks widening social inequality

    19 November 1999

    GENEVA (ILO News) - Concluding its 276 th session, the Governing Body of the ILO agreed to review and expand arrangements for the continuation of its Working Party on the Social Dimensions of the Liberalization of International Trade, which was established in June 1994, with a view to examining all aspects of the relationship between trade liberalization and social progress relevant to the ILO's mandate. The Working Party will continue to meet and function, with a final decision on the specific mandate and title to be agreed at the next Governing Body in March.

  3. Press release

    ILO Director-General to attend WTO Conference in Seattle

    18 November 1999

    GENEVA (ILO News) - The ILO Director-General, Juan Somavia, issued a statement today formally indicating his intention to lead the ILO delegation to the WTO Ministerial Conference in Seattle.

  4. Press release

    Poland reaps "impressive" gains on economic, social front. But growth is "Unbalanced"

    15 November 1999

    GENEVA (ILO News) - Defying what had looked to be almost insurmountable economic problems at the outset of the decade, Poland's economy has enjoyed "an impressive economic performance" registering average annual growth rates of 5.5% since 1993 and reversing precipitous declines in output and employment which characterized the early stages of economic transition, according to an ILO report * released in Geneva today.

  5. Press release

    ILO Governing Body convenes 276 th Session

    08 November 1999

    GENEVA (ILO News) - The 276 th Session of the ILO Governing Body, which gets underway in Committee sessions on Monday, will review ILO activities during the last six months and examine policy options in a number of areas, including implementation of ILO's strategic budget and proposed revisions to personnel policies as the Organization charts its course into the new millennium.

  6. Press release

    ILO Director-General urges business to become "part of the solution" to challenge of globalization

    05 November 1999

    GENEVA (ILO News) - The Director-General of the International Labour Office (ILO), Mr. Juan Somavia, today urged business leaders to become "part of the solution" to the problems of globalization by addressing the issues of social equity, human dignity and labour rights through corporate responsibility.

  7. Press release

    ILO Enterprise Forum 5-6 November 1999

    02 November 1999

    GENEVA (ILO News) - What is the link between enterprise competitiveness and social progress? What key factors will define the business environment for the 21 st Century? How can more and better jobs be created through promotion of entrepreneurship and enterprise development? What leading edge human resource practices have been found to support long-term competitive advantage?

October 1999

  1. Press release

    ILO Reports Significant Jobs Growth in Commerce Worldwide during 1990s

    25 October 1999

    GENEVA (ILO News) - Wholesale and retail trade, stimulated by technology, evolving consumer demand and trade liberalization factors, saw a significant growth in new jobs worldwide during the 1990s, according to a new ILO report issued here today.

  2. Press release

    ILO High-Level Tripartite Regional Symposium on Social Dialogue

    20 October 1999

    ADDIS ABABA (ILO News) - The Geneva-based International Labour Office is organizing a symposium which will involve representatives of governments, employer organizations and trade unions from 20 African countries in order to promote the importance of social dialogue in the development process.

  3. Press release

    Kosovo's Labour Market in a "Collapsed" State ILO Calls for Labour Intensive Reconstruction Effort

    19 October 1999

    GENEVA (ILO News) - At least two-thirds of Kosovo's working age population is officially out of work and those with jobs are working in what a report prepared for the International Labour Organization described as "a vast grey economy" under employment conditions that amount to "a legal vacuum."