2005

1. 7th European Regional Meeting in Budapest Ministers' meeting supports ILO report on globalization

   08 March 2005

   One of the key items discussed at the ILO's 7th European Regional Meeting in Budapest was the 2004 report of the ILO's World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization. An informal ministerial meeting brought together labour ministers and other government representatives from 50 European and Central Asia countries, as well as European Union Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner Vladimir Spidla, who gave the report strong support.

2. 7th European Regional Meeting in Budapest Trade unions in Central and Eastern Europe confront challenges

   18 February 2005

   Throughout most of Europe, trade unions are struggling to meet the challenges posed by globalization. In the new EU Member States of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), as well as other countries in Eastern and Southeast Europe, these difficulties have been compounded by the economic and social costs of transition to systems of market democracy.

3. 7th European Regional Meeting in Budapest The impact of ageing on labour markets and pension reform

   17 February 2005

   Although the establishment of national pension schemes in the world's industrialized countries ranks among the great achievements of the twentieth century, and those schemes have proved effective in alleviating poverty among the elderly, adjustments are needed if current levels of well-being are to be maintained. Ageing and its impact on labour markets and pension systems is one of the main issues to be discussed at the European Regional Meeting of the ILO in Budapest on 14 to 18 February. ILO online spoke with Emmanuel Reynaud, head of the Social Security Policy and Development Branch.

4. 7th European Regional Meeting in Budapest Balancing flexibility, stability and security in European labour markets

   16 February 2005

   Policymakers all over Europe are facing the crucial challenge of regulating a rapidly evolving labour market in the context of the globalized economy. Will they listen to calls made for greater flexibility to overcome what have often been characterized as the region's labour market rigidities: employment protection and legislation, union bargaining power, generous welfare systems and high labour taxation? Or can they place their trust in a "flexicurity" model: new ways of balancing flexibility and security in relation to employment, income and social protection? "Flexicurity" is one of the main issues to be discussed at the forthcoming European Regional Meeting of the ILO in Budapest on 14 to 18 February. ILO Online spoke with ILO employment experts Sandrine Cazes, Alena Nesporova and Peter Auer.

5. Seventh European Regional Meeting in Budapest Managing migration in Europe

   15 February 2005

   BUDAPEST - Migration has become a defining issue in almost all countries in Europe and Central Asia, and policymakers are looking for possible responses. The number of economically active migrants in the region is estimated to be 26.5 million, or about 4 per cent of the total workforce. But their significance for the future of economies and societies in the region may well far outweigh their current numbers. Migration, both regular and irregular, is one of the main issues to be discussed at the European Regional Meeting of the ILO in Budapest, 14-18 February. ILO Online spoke with ILO experts Patrick Taran and Roger Plant.

6. Seventh European Regional Meeting in Budapest Balancing social and economic development

   08 February 2005

   The European and Central Asian region is a key player in economic globalization. The region is also a world leader in economic, monetary and political integration, not only in the EU, but also in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The main task for governments is to reverse the high unemployment rates which continue to plague Europe, both Eastern and Western, and Central Asia. This calls for strong governance to sustain balanced economic and social development, says a report prepared for the forthcoming European Regional Meeting of the ILO in Budapest on 14 to 18 February. ILO online spoke with ILO expert Philippe Egger.

7. 7th European Regional Meeting Decent work for young people

   04 February 2005

   Youth unemployment in Europe and Central Asia has remained at a very high level over the past decade. Young people almost everywhere in the region are more than twice as likely as adults to be unemployed. Youth employment is one of the main issues to be discussed at the 7th European Regional Meeting of the ILO in Budapest, 14-18 February. ILO online spoke with Jane Stewart, Deputy Director of the Employment Sector and Coordinator of the Youth Employment Team of the ILO.

8. Global Campaign for Social Security hits its stride

   24 January 2005

   The recent launch of a national campaign to provide Kenya's population with social security was the latest in a series of events designed to expand the ILO's Global Campaign on Social Security and Coverage for All. With half its population living below the poverty line and less than 15 per cent of the total labour force covered by social security systems, Kenya has adopted the campaign as a framework for extending national pension and health coverage to more of its citizens. This year, the ILO intends to expand the programme to include more countries. Guebray Berhane of ILO Addis Ababa reports.

9. Ida's Story: the plight of domestic migrant workers

   24 January 2005

10. New UN decision makes fair globalization a core issue of the world agenda in 2005

    06 January 2005

    Achieving a fair globalization is now firmly implanted on the world agenda. With the adoption of a resolution at its most recent session, the UN General Assembly gave new impetus to global efforts to implement the recommendations of the report of the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization. In this feature, we examine how this move provides new reasons for hope that globalization can work much better in coming years to help reduce poverty for families, local communities and people around the world.