February 2005

1. Article

   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.

2. Article

   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.

3. News

   ILO Tsunami Response Tsunami: ILO/IPEC project on vulnerability of children to worst forms of child labour

   10 February 2005

   On February 8, the United States Department of Labour approved a new $1.5 million project to address vulnerability of children to worst forms of child labour following the Tsunami disaster in Aceh.

4. Article

   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.

5. Article

   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.

January 2005

1. 

   Video

   PENSION REFORM IN THE U.K

   31 January 2005

   As people live longer and birth-rates fall, many countries are facing up to the problem of how to finance pensions for an ageing population. In the United Kingdom, a Pensions Commission reported on what the problems are and how the government could tackle the situation. This report from ILO TV.

2. 

   Video

   SRI LANKA REBUILDS AFTER THE TSUNAMI

   20 January 2005

   As well as claiming countless lives, the Asian tsunami left behind devastated economies in its wake. The International Labour Organization’s JobsNet project assesses the impact on employment, identifying pressing needs for repair of workplaces and reconstruction. ILO TV sent this report from Sri Lanka.

3. 

   Video

   Gilberto Gil Against Child Labour

   06 January 2005

   Brazil's minister of culture, Gilberto Gil, brings his musical talents to the fight against child labour. Directed by the Brazilian film-maker, Fernando Meirelles (O2 Films), Gilberto Gil sings a special version of a famous Brazilian song, written by Paulo Tatit, "Comida" (Food) from the Pop Group Titãs. He performs alongside children who have been withdrawn from work and who are beneficiaries of the Brazilian Programme to Combat Child Labour (PETI). This public service announcement was produced by the International Labour Organization in partnership with the Brazilian Ministries of Culture and Social Development.

4. Article

   Efforts mount in Japan to counter human trafficking

   05 January 2005

   Human trafficking is a growing problem in Japan and new efforts for stronger measures to combat modern forms of forced labour are gaining momentum. This report examines the phenomenon and what Japan and its ILO partners are doing about it.

December 2004

1. News

   International Employment Conference on Iraq adopts Plan and Declaration on combatting massive unemployment

   14 December 2004

   An International Conference on Employment in Iraq adopted a Declaration here today underlining the crucial role of employment in the reconstruction and development of Iraq where some 30 per cent of the adult workforce and 50 per cent of youth are unemployed.