Press releases

2009

1. Domestic workers' labour standards to be discussed by Lao PDR Government, unions and employers

   11 September 2009

   Governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations in Lao PDR will take part in a formal consultation on the creation of a ground-breaking, international labour standard that would cover millions of domestic workers worldwide. The National Consultation on Decent Work for Domestic Workers will take place on Tuesday 15 September in Vientiane.

2. Domestic workers’ labour standards to be discussed by Royal Thai Government, unions and employers

   07 September 2009

   Governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations in Thailand will take part in a formal consultation on the creation of a ground-breaking, international labour standard that would cover millions of domestic workers worldwide. The National Consultation on Decent Work for Domestic Workers will take place on Thursday 10 September.

3. ILO Better Factories Cambodia 22nd Synthesis Report: garment factory working conditions generally remain good, despite continuing pressure due to the global economic slowdown

   26 August 2009

   The International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Better Factories Cambodia today releases its “22nd Synthesis Report on Working Conditions in Cambodia’s Garment Sector,” which assesses compliance with Cambodian labour law and international labour standards in garment factories.

4. Employment challenges for rural youth to be discussed at regional meeting

   13 August 2009

   Delegates from seven Asian countries are expected to attend the meeting, “Addressing Challenges and Opportunities for Rural Youth Employment in Asia”, which will be held in Chiang Mai from 17 - 19 August. About 30 participants from China, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam, representing the public and private sectors, NGOs and multi-lateral agencies are due to take part.

5. ILO says significant steps undertaken towards development of a new international human rights instrument on HIV/AIDS: 9th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP)

   11 August 2009

   Governments, in consultation with employers’ and workers’ organizations, are to send their comments on the first draft text of an international labour standard in the form of a recommendation on HIV/AIDS and the world of work to the ILO by November 2009. Ministries of Labour are advised to consult other national Ministries and institutions dealing with HIV/AIDS, such as Ministries of Health and National AIDS Commissions, as well as other relevant organizations, including associations of people living with HIV. There will be a second discussion in June 2010 with a view to the adoption of the instrument.

6. Gender Equality in the Workplace Workshop, Papua New Guinea

   09 August 2009

   A workshop on gender equality in the workplace is held in Lamana Hotel in Port Moresby from 10 to 13 August 2009. The workshop was opened by Honorable Power Parkop, Member of the Parliament and Governor of the National Capital District. Participants include 6 from Vanuatu and 12 from PNG mainly from government organizations), employers’ and workers’ organizations, National Council of Women and other NGOs. Ms Johanne Lortie, ILO International Training Center in Turin, Italy is facilitating the workshop.

7. ILO to address workers’ vulnerabilities to HIV in Asia and the Pacific: 9th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP)

   07 August 2009

   The ILO is to host a series of events at the 9th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP), which opens this Sunday, 9 August, in Bali, Indonesia.

8. Trade Unions briefed on Thai Government’s plan to expand social security

   17 July 2009

   Trade union leaders met to learn about the Thai Government’s initiative to expand the coverage of a pension scheme for both the formal and informal sector workers and discussed about various aspects of social protection--challenges, strategies and standards. The seminar “Social Security Development in Thailand: Government Initiative and ILO Recommendations” was organized by the ILO in Bangkok on 13 July 2009.

9. ILO issues Conclusions on Asia Pacific member States’ applications of Conventions and Recommendations

   23 June 2009

   The ILO’s Committee on the Application of Standards has released conclusions and observations concerning seven countries in the Asia and Pacific region.

10. Timor-Leste Delegates Meet Director-General of the ILO at the 98th Session of the ILC

    18 June 2009

    The Timor-Leste delegates, headed by the Vice Prime Minister H.E. Mr. José Luis Guterres met the ILO Director-General Mr Juan Somavia on 18 June at the 98th Session of the ILC in Geneva.

11. Japanese Government Vice-Minister meets ILO Director-General at 98th International Labour Conference in Geneva

    18 June 2009

    Mr Takao Watanabe, Japan’s Senior Vice Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare meets the ILO’s Director-General Mr Juan Somavia at the 98th ILC in Geneva.

12. Chinese Government Minister meets ILO Director-General at 98th International Labour Conference in Geneva

    18 June 2009

    Mr. Yin Weimin, Chinese Minister of Human Resources and Social Security met the ILO Director-General Mr Juan Somavia at the 98th ILC in Geneva.

13. 

    Vice Prime Minister of Timor Leste deposits Instruments of Ratification of the ILO Conventions

    16 June 2009

    The Vice-Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, H.E. Mr. José Luis Guterres, presented the official Certificate of Deposit of the four ratified ILO core conventions.

14. Thai Workers’ Organization submits complaint to ILO

    11 June 2009

    Thailand’s State Enterprise Workers Relations Confederation (SERC) has submitted a complaint to the International Labour Organization during the 98th International Labour Conference (ILC) presently in Session in Geneva, Switzerland. The complaint alleges the Royal Thai Government is breaching the Organization’s Equality of Treatment (Accident Compensation) Convention (C-19). The complaint claims migrant workers from Myanmar working in Thailand have been denied access to the Social Security Office’s Workmen’s Compensation Fund following accidents in the workplace.

15. 

    Malaysian Government Minister meets ILO Director General at 98th International Labour Conference in Geneva

    10 June 2009

    Upon his arrival at the annual International Labour Conference in Geneva, Dr. Subramaniam K.V.S. Sathavivam Datuk, Minister of Labour of Malaysia meets the ILO’s Director General Mr Juan Somavia.

16. 

    Brunei Darussalam Government Minister meets ILO Director General at 98th International Labour Conference in Geneva

    10 June 2009

    Upon his arrival at the annual International Labour Conference in Geneva, Mr Pehin Dato Adanan Yusof, Minister for Home Affairs of Brunei Darussalam meets the ILO’s Director General Mr Juan Somavia.

17. World day against child labour, 12 June, Give girls a chance: End Child labour

    10 June 2009

    BANGKOK (ILO News) The annual World Day Against Child Labour on 12 June will be marked by events in Bangkok, Tak and Pattani. Activities include panel discussions, concerts, parades, contests and performances by students.

18. World Day against Child Labour spotlights girls, Economic crisis could force more girls into child labour

    10 June 2009

    BANGKOK (ILO News)–The vulnerabilities of children–particularly girls-during the global economic crisis will be highlighted on World Day Against Child Labour (12 June), with dozens of events throughout Asia and the Pacific.

19. World day against child labour, 12 June; Give girls a chance: End child labour

    05 June 2009

    BANGKOK (ILO News) – The annual World Day Against Child Labour on 12 June will be marked by events in more than 60 countries around the world, including at least nine in Asia and the Pacific, amid growing concerns over the impact of the economic crisis on child labour and in particular on girls.

20. 

    Japan marks 35 years of support for ILO

    05 June 2009

    An exhibition to mark the 35th anniversary of the Japanese Government’s support for the ILO will be held at the ILO’s Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland from 9-30 June.