Articles

August 2011

  1. Crisis has opened up new space for discrimination at work

    01 August 2011

    Economically adverse times are a breeding ground for discrimination at work and in society more broadly. The ILO’s new Global Report entitled Equality at work: The continuing challenge cites equality bodies which are receiving increased numbers of complaints, showing that workplace discrimination has become more varied and discrimination on multiple grounds is becoming the rule rather than the exception.

May 2011

  1. 1919–2011: ILO Conferences in changing times

    09 May 2011

    The ILO has played a role at key historical junctures – the Great Depression, decolonization, the creation of Solidarność in Poland, the victory over apartheid in South Africa – and today in the building of an ethical and productive framework for a fair globalization. The 100th Session of the International Labour Conference in June 2011 is an occasion to look back at some of its landmark sessions since 1919.

  2. Indigenous women entrepreneurs in Papua GET Ahead

    01 May 2011

    Despite being one of the richest regions in Indonesia, 41.8 per cent of the population in Papua is living below the poverty line. Many of them are indigenous Papuans who constitute two-thirds of the region’s population of 2.3 million…

  3. How to EASE social dialogue between sports professionals and their employers

    01 May 2011

    They are the men and women who each weekend run out on to the world’s football stadiums, basketball courts, baseball diamonds and athletics arenas. But are the world’s professional sportsmen and women also workers?

  4. Employment in the tourism industry to grow significantly

    01 May 2011

    The travel and tourism industry is one of the largest and most dynamic industries in today’s global economy. It is expected to generate about 9 per cent of total GDP and provide more than 235 million jobs in 2010, representing 8 per cent of global employment. Last November, over 150 government, employer and worker delegates from more than 50 countries, meeting at the ILO’s Global Dialogue Forum on New Developments and Challenges in the Hospitality and Tourism Sector, discussed new developments and challenges in the sector. The Forum was opened by Mr Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Mr Juan Somavia, Director-General of the ILO.

  5. The International Labour Conference: Motor of the ILO

    01 May 2011

    In October of 1919, the first International Labour Conference (ILC) opened in an atmosphere of hope and anticipation. As delegates gathered in Washington, D.C., they were about to set in motion elements of the Treaty of Versailles that concerned the world of work.

  6. Pension reform and ageing populations in developed economies

    01 May 2011

    The forthcoming Session of the International Labour Conference will also discuss pension reform in developed economies. The debate will be continued in 2012 when the Conference will hold a general discussion on employment and social protection in the new demographic context.

  7. Social security and ageing populations in developing countries

    01 May 2011

    It is common knowledge that life expectancy in Western countries has increased over the past several decades and will continue to rise. However, it may come as a surprise to some that the ratio of elderly people is rising faster in the developing world than in industrialized countries.

  8. Fighting forced labour through labour inspection: A report from Brazil

    01 May 2011

    This June, the 100th Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva will hold a general discussion on labour inspection. Efficient labour inspectorates have the potential to prevent accidents at work, protect workers, improve their working conditions and enhance productivity by guaranteeing a decent working environment.

December 2010

  1. Gundo Lashu (Our Victory): Labour intensive public roads programmes in South Africa

    01 December 2010

    With more than 25 per cent of jobless people, the Republic of South Africa is faced with rampant unemployment – coupled with high levels of poverty and a lack of skills. As part of the South African Government’s strategy to provide poverty and income relief through temporary work, the labour intensive Expanded Public Works Programme was introduced in 2004. It received technical support from the ILO, which is also assisting the Government with the development and formulation of policy. South African journalist Eleanor Momberg reports from Johannesburg.