2004

1. World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization: Globalization can and must change

   01 March 2004

   Can globalization change so its benefits are shared more equitably by people and countries? It not only can change, it must, says a new, groundbreaking report, presented to the ILO by the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization. The Commission's report says building a fair and inclusive globalization must become a worldwide priority.

2. Strangers in a foreign land - Migration's hidden risk: Increased child trafficking

   01 March 2004

   In many parts of the world, migration is adding a new dimension to the child labour problem, exposing many children to potential exploitation by traffickers. This article explains how migrants can fall into the trafficking trap and how the ILO is working to stop this worst form of child labour.

3. Global Employment Trends 2004: Record joblessness, but relief may be on the way

   01 March 2004

   Despite a second-half economic recovery in 2003, global unemployment continued its relentless climb, hitting a new record of 185.9 million for men and women, rising especially sharply for young people. Meanwhile, the number of "working poor" remained at an all-time high of 550 million. A hopeless scenario? Not quite, says a new ILO report.

4. In Quebec, labour-sponsored "Solidarity Funds" are generating jobs

   01 March 2004

   The success of the Quebec Federation of Labour Solidarity Fund is founded upon twin objectives. Its main goal is profit, yet the Fund promotes workers' rights, and training and development for employees. Fernand Daoust, former president of the administrative council of the Fund and now special counsellor to the president, explains the vision of a unique organization.

5. Waiting in Correntes: Forced labour in Brazil

   01 March 2004

   In a small, dusty town in Brazil's Piaui State, the "escravos", or modern-day slaves, of Correntes are on the fault lines of forced labour. In this report, the ILO shows how they become ensnared in a trap of debt and coercion - as well as what the ILO, in collaboration with the Government of Brazil, is doing about their plight.

6. Asbestos in the workplace: a difficult legacy

   01 March 2004

   Once used nearly universally for its fire-retardant qualities, asbestos - and the illnesses it causes - has become a major issue for the industries which used and produced it as well as individuals who contracted various diseases and cancers as a result of exposure in the workplace. Journalist Andrew Bibby examines the state of asbestos litigation today, and how workers and employers are facing up to the problem.

7. Jobs after war – Building sustainable peace

   23 February 2004

8. Economic insecurity drags on in Ukraine: ILO survey shows millions in distress

   18 February 2004

9. Making work a safer place

   11 February 2004

   Money talks, but does it think? Merging thoughtful workplace practices and the bottom-line is one of the goals of the Global Compact launched in 2000 by the United Nations. The Compact seeks to meet the challenges of globalization and create a more stable and inclusive world economy by embedding UN values in private sector strategies. Now, the ILO Safe Work Programme has joined the Compact to help promote a new health and safety culture at work. German journalist Anne Sieger reports.

10. New ILO report: Despite rising unemployment, cause for cautious optimism

    11 February 2004

    The 2004 Global Employment Trends report, released today by the ILO, paints a grim picture of rising global unemployment. But the annual jobs report sees signs of recovery. Here are questions and answers on the global employment picture, how this affects different people, and what solutions exist for employment generation.