Videos - 101st International Labour Conference
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The International Labour Conference launches a new Call for Action to tackle the Youth Employment Crisis
14 June 2012
The unprecedented youth employment crisis, aggravated by the global financial crisis, has created a renewed sense of urgency for action. The newly adopted resolution by the ILO annual Conference 'The youth employment crisis : A call for action' proposes vigorous action around a menu of policy options to respond to the challenges faced by young people today around the world.
Watch highlights from the ILC session in which the resolution was adopted and interviews with Emalene Marcus-Burnett (Rapporteur of the 2012 International Labour Conference Committee on Youth Employment) and Azita Berar-Awad (Director of the ILO Employment Policy Department). -
"Reconciliation, not retribution" says Aung San Suu Kyi in the first press conference of her European tour
14 June 2012
Aung San Suu Kyi fielded a wide range of questions at the first press conference of her Europe visit held after addressing the International Labour Conference. The Nobel laureate stressed the importance of the rule of law to put an end to conflicts in Myanmar, called for more vigilence around responsible and uncorrupted borders regarding cross-border migration to Bangladesh. She said, "We should look for restorative rather than retributive justice."
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Myanmar needs democracy-friendly development growth, says Aung San Suu Kyi
14 June 2012
Aung San Suu Kyi called for international aid and investment to promote economic progress in Myanmar and in particular focussed attention on the problem of youth unemployment. Highlighting the potential of her country both in terms of its natural and human resources, she noted, "it is not so much joblessness as hopelessness that threatens our future. The Nobel laureate made her landmark address to a packed Assembly Hall at the 101st session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
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Lessons from the Global Economic Crisis: International experts share insights in a high level panel discussion at the 2012 ILC in Geneva
13 June 2012
In the plenary hall of the 2012 International Labour Conference in Geneva, a panel of high level experts from South Africa, China, Chile, Belgium, Russia and Australia shared their experiences, the challenges and some lessons learned since the Global Economic Crisis began.
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Myanmar welcomes lifting of restrictions on ILO technical cooperation and support announced at 2012 International Labour Conference in Geneva
13 June 2012
Stating they are "cautiously optimistic", the member states of the International Labour Organization have agreed to lift or suspend key restrictions on the ILO's work in Myanmar. Following a vote in the ILC plenary session in Geneva, the ILO agreed to lift restrictions which excluded the Government of Myanmar from receiving ILO technical cooperation and assistance. It also suspends for one year an ILO request of its members to review their relationships with Myanmar to ensure forced labour is not being used in those relationships. Under the agreement announced at the ILC, representatives of Myanmar can also now attend most ILO meetings, symposia and seminars.
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"Full employment contributes above all to achieving human dignity", said the Italian President at the International Labour Conference
13 June 2012
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano addressed delegates today at the ILO Conference in Geneva, urging that full employment and social protection should be a top priority in achieving global development. The Head of State said growth should be focused on employment, structural reforms, a restart of public investments in infrastructure and human capital, and new research and innovations.
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Changes in Myanmar – the Minister's perspective
11 June 2012
Myanmar's Union Minister at the Ministry of Labour, Aung Kyi, gives his thoughts on the way his country's reform process has moved so far, how the relationship with the ILO has evolved, and what the next steps might be.
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Thailand: a healthy society is a productive society
11 June 2012
In the ongoing global economic crisis, the need for a "social protection floor" giving everyone access to basic social rights, services and facilities is even more urgent. The tripartite constituents at the ILO's 2012 International Labour Conference are discussing a set of guidelines for building social protection floors. But individual countries are already proving it can work. Thailand's universal health care scheme is based on the idea that only a healthy society can be a productive society.
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Changes in Myanmar: A workers' perspective
11 June 2012
Among the recent changes in Myanmar has been new legislation allowing for the formation of workers’ organizations. Among the first group of 15 to be registered was the Basic Labour Organization of the Aung Tile Factory, set up by Thant Zin Oo, Workers’ Delegate from Myanmar. He explains why he decided to form this new workers’ organization.
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Changes in Myanmar: An employers' perspective
11 June 2012
Khine Khine Nwe, Myanmar Employers’ delegate and Secretary, Basic Employers Organization of the Garment Factory, Shwe Pyi Thar Industrial Zone, gives her reaction to the changes in her country and explains how she wants the international community to respond.
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"Innovation" and a completely new approach to job creation are needed to solve the jobs crisis, WEF's Klaus Schwab tells ILC delegates
11 June 2012
Hailed as "a visionary of the highest caliber" by ILO Director General Juan Somavia, World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab told delegates at the International Labour Conference in Geneva that a "paradigm shift" toward entrprenuership and innovation is needed to address the Global Jobs Crisis and the growing disparities between rich and poor. In an exclusive interview after his speech, Schwab said the role of the ILO is central to the process of bringing about change; and he predicted that in the future, most jobs will be created by the workers, themselves.
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The ILO's Liaison Officer in Myanmar explains the relationship between Aung San Suu Kyi and the ILO
11 June 2012
Steve Marshall, the ILO's Liaison Officer in Myanmar explains the background to the ILO`s relationship with Aung San Suu Kyi and the process which led to her visit to the ILC.
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The ILO's role in Myanmar
11 June 2012
The ILO`s Liaison Officer in Myanmar discusses the history of the ILO`s involvement in Myanmar, some of the challenges of dealing with forced labour in the country, and the role played by the ILO's unique tripartite structure in achieving progress.
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Zambian President vows to lift millions out of poverty through job creation
08 June 2012
During his speech delivery today at the ILO conference in Geneva, the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Michael Chilufya announced his plans to make a real economic impact through enhanced dialogue with key partners to get the right policies in place. He committed to uplifting youth and other vulnerable groups and achieve higher and more sustainable economic growth, regardless of diverse and regional situations.
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ILO Head calls for a policy rethink to overcome global economic uncertainty
06 June 2012
In his address to the ILC, ILO DG Juan Somavia, urges that in the midst of crisis, now is a time for policy reevaluation to ensure a more stable global economy. He highlights that growth can no longer be the key criteria for macroeconomic success, but instead quality job creation, the reduction of poverty and fair access opportunities need to be brought to the forefront to ensure international cooperation.
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ILO's Somavia warns of "vicious downward economic spiral"
30 May 2012
The austerity-only course to fiscal consolidation is putting Europe on a course to economic stagnation and building up a social debt that undermines the values that Europe pioneered, according to the ILO's Director General, Juan Somavia, in his opening speech to the International Labour Conference in Geneva.