ILO in Asia and the Pacific

What's new

1. Asia and Pacific: Challenges and opportunities for Unions
   

   At the 102nd Session of the International Labour Conference, Noriyuki Suzuki, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation for Asia and Pacific (ITUC-AP), replies to ACTRAV Info. In this interview, Mr. Suzuki gave his views on Employment and social protection in the new demographic context in the Asia and Pacific, Occupational Safety and Health issue and workers ‘priorities in this region.

2. 102nd International Labour Conference

   ILO lifts remaining restrictions on Myanmar
   

   In a historic move, delegates attending the International Labour Conference (ILC) have voted to lift all remaining ILO restrictions on Myanmar. The remaining restrictions, imposed by the Conference in 2000, included the need to discuss Myanmar’s application of the ILO Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No.29) at special sittings of the ILC, and a recommendation to ILO constituents to review their relations with the country.
   
   

3. 

   World Day against Child Labour

   Hidden in plain sight.  Say "No" to child labour in domestic work!

   Today, 12th of June marks the World Day against Child Labour. Today we say loud and clear “NO to child labour in domestic work.” The theme of this global campaign is both timely and relevant to all of us, especially in Asia which is home to nearly half of all domestic workers worldwide. With more than 15 million children under 18 around the globe “hidden” in domestic work, turning a blind eye to their plight can no longer be tolerated. Most of these children are girls and nearly half work under extremely hazardous conditions in paid or unpaid work in households other than their own.

   1. World Day against Child Labour webpage
   2. Report: Ending child labour in domestic work and protecting young workers from abusive working conditions
   3. Blog
4. ILO Director-General in China, Japan and India

   The ILO's Director-General Guy Ryder visited China, Japan and India,on his second official tour of Asia, between May 15-19. In China he met the Chinese Vice Premier of the State Council, Ma Kai and toured an Employment Centre. In Japan, he visited the Japanese Public Employment Security Centre, and in India he addressed the 45th session of the Indian Labour Conference.

5. 

   Partnership

   Norway-ILO sign US$2.5 million agreement to support improved labour conditions in Bangladesh
   

   The Norwegian Minister for International Development Mr Heikki Eidsvoll Holmås and the ILO Country Office Director Mr Srinivas Reddy signed an agreement on 3 June which will see the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs providing NOK14.5 million (US$2.5 million) for promoting workers rights and labour relations in export oriented industries in Bangladesh.
   
   

6. World of work report 2013

   Uneven job recovery poses challenges to most countries

   The latest edition of the ILO’s World of Work report shows encouraging, but still-fragile signs of improvement in emerging and developing economies, while many advanced economies continue to face high or even rising unemployment and increasing inequalities.

   1. World of Work report 2013 “Repairing the economic and social fabric”
   2. Executive Summary
7. Integrating social policies and the delivery of social protection floors in Cambodia - discussed at a workshop

   SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA (ILO News): Sharing models and innovative ideas for implementing a national social protection strategy in Cambodia and developing nationally defined social protection floors in ASEAN were the focus of a workshop held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, from 29 to 31 May 2013. The technical workshop on “Integrating Social Policies and the Delivery of Social Protection Floors (SPF)” was co-organized by the Royal Government of Cambodia and the ILO.
   

8. News@ILO, June-July 2013

   The June-July 2013 e-newsletter of the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific contains the latest news from ILO in the region, a feature article on child domestic workers in Indonesia, a selection of the latest publications, and forthcoming events and meetings.

9. ILO statement on the Wing Star shoe factory building collapse

   The ILO is saddened by the deaths and injuries resulting from the building collapse at the Wing Star shoe factory in Cambodia on Thursday (May 16th). The ILO would like to express its condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, and to wish the injured workers a speedy recovery.

10. Workplace safety
    

    ILO welcomes accord on Building and Fire Safety in Bangladesh

    The ILO stands ready to provide appropriate support to the agreement signed by international fashion retailers along with other companies and trade unions to prevent workplace disasters.

    1. Conclusions of the ILO's high level mission to Bangladesh
11. Global Employment Trends for Youth 2013

    The new study examines the continuing job crisis affecting young people in many parts of the world. It provides updated statistics on global and regional youth unemployment rates and presents ILO policy recommendations to curb the current trends.

    1. Executive Summary
    2. Webpage
12. Social protection

    Launch of the plan for expanding social protection in Thailand
    

    A joint UN/Royal Thai Government report that analyses policy options and costing for expanding social protection coverage in Thailand was launched today by the Minister attached to the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr Niwatthamrong Busongphaisan. The report argues that comprehensive measures to implement a nationally defined social protection floor (SPF) would cost between 0.5 and 1.2 per cent of current GDP. The goal of a SPF is to ensure that everyone has access to affordable essential health care, and that everyone, including children and the elderly, have a guarantee of income security throughout their lives.

    1. The report
    2. Webpage of the Global Extension of Social Security
    3. Video