May 2005

1. Article

   Modern forms of slavery in industrialized countries

   11 May 2005

   A new report by the ILO estimates that more than 12 million people worldwide are victims of forced labour. But this modern day form of slavery is not restricted to developing countries, and can also be found in industrialized countries, where approximately 360,000 people are forced to work. Two examples of this practice are migrant workers in the German meat industry, and fruit pickers in Florida, United States.

2. Article

   Africa: insecurities compound poverty

   11 May 2005

   JOHANNESBURG - Africa has suffered greater economic insecurity and instability than any other region of the world during the past decade and half. According to a recent ILO report presented at last month's annual meeting of the African Union Labour and Social Affairs Commission, among the 23 African countries for which adequate data are available, 19 fall in the category "much-to-be-done", facing tremendous challenges in terms of policy reforms, building capacity and delivering results. An interview with Guy Standing, Director of the ILO Socio-Economic Security Programme.

3. 

   Press release

   ILO releases major new study on forced labour Says more than 12 million are trapped in forced labour worldwide

   11 May 2005

   At least 12.3 million people are trapped in forced labour around the world, the International Labour Office (ILO) said in a new study released today. ILO Director-General Juan Somavia called forced labour "a social evil which has no place in the modern world".

April 2005

1. Press release

   ILO to Launch Comprehensive New Report on Global Forced Labour

   29 April 2005

   The International Labour Office (ILO) is to launch a comprehensive report on forced labour on 11 May 2005, providing for the first time global and regional data on the scope of forced labour, an estimate of the profits derived from trafficking in people and propose a new global initiative to abolish such practices.

2. Press release

   Joint Press Release ILO/WHO Number of Work related Accidents and Illnesses Continues to Increase ILO and WHO Join in Call for Prevention Strategies

   28 April 2005

   Faced with a rising toll of occupational related death, injury and sickness, the International Labour Office (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) today mark the World Day for Safety and Health at Work by highlighting the need for a preventative safety culture worldwide.

3. Article

   World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2005 ILO project aims to take some of the strain from Viet Nam's farmers

   26 April 2005

   The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is held on 28 April each year. A key focus this year is on the prevention of work-related accidents and ill-health. Bangkok based journalist Sam Taylor reports from Viet Nam where a recently tested ILO project aims to give agricultural workers the skills to improve safety on farms in Viet Nam.

4. Article

   World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2005 Promoting construction safety in Cambodia: Prevention is far better than cure

   25 April 2005

   There are annually at least 60,000 fatal accidents on construction sites around the world, according to an ILO report published for World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2005. The focus of this year's World Day to be held on 28 April is on the prevention of work-related accidents and ill-health, particularly in the construction sector. Phnom Penh-based journalist Bronwyn Sloan reports from construction sites in Cambodia.

5. Article

   The Global Social Trust: Health Insurance in Ghana

   25 April 2005

   As part of its campaign to improve and extend social security to all, the ILO has launched the idea of a Global Social Trust that links developed and developing countries to kick-start social protection schemes in the latter. In Luxembourg, the largest trade union confederation, the Onofhängege Gewerkschaftsbond Lëtzebuerg (OGB-L), the Government and the ILO have set up a pilot project to start the collection of voluntary contributions from working people in that country. The resulting trust funds will be used to support a new national health insurance system in Ghana.

6. Press release

   ILO/WHO agree to joint guidelines on health services and HIV/AIDS

   22 April 2005

   In a move to protect the safety and health of workers involved in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, experts brought together by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have agreed to joint guidelines designed to help ensure a functioning and healthy medical workforce.

7. Press release

   ILO/WHO to develop joint guidelines on health services and HIV/AIDS

   19 April 2005

   Representatives of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) will join forces in Geneva on 19-21 April for a tripartite meeting of experts to develop new guidelines to protect the safety of health workers involved in the worldwide struggle against HIV/AIDS.