BEIJING (ILO News) -- The International Labour Organization (ILO) celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2009. To mark this milestone in China, a high-level tripartite gathering, jointly organised by MOHRSS, ACFTU, and CEC, and supported by the ILO, was held on Wednesday, 22 April 2009 in Beijing

China’s Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Honourable Mr Yin Weimin, Vice Chairman of the All China Federation of Trade Unions Mr Xu Zhenhuan, and Vice President of the China Enterprises Confederation Mr Chen Lantong, made keynote addresses on this memorable occasion, followed by a special video message from ILO Director-General Juan Somavia.

“China was a founding member of the ILO. It is an active player in the ILO bringing its own experience of balancing economic and social development to build a harmonious society. The country has also brought its own life and energy to the Decent Work Agenda,” said Juan Somavia, ILO Director-General. “I have been personally committed to reinforcing the relationship between China and the ILO.”

Mr Somavia also told 150 participants that the ILO’s 90th anniversary came against “a backdrop of rising unemployment and underemployment, business closures, deteriorating conditions of work and the undermining of respect for rights at work, along with growing inequality, poverty and insecurity”.

Mr Somavia proposed that, as a concrete and practical initiative, the annual International Labour Conference, to be held in Geneva in June, agree on a Global Jobs Pact that would boost economic recovery and the construction of a new pattern of fairer and more inclusive globalization, focusing on the Decent Work Agenda.

Senior officials from the ILO’s partners in China highlighted the accomplishments since the establishing of the first ILO office in the country in 1985. They also underlined the major challenges at hand amid the on-going global crisis and the importance of further strengthening ILO-China cooperation.

A special photo exhibit was also held at the event, showcasing the ILO’s presence in China as well as the women and men at work in the country.

The ILO is the oldest specialized agency of the United Nations (UN). The ILO was founded in 1919, and is the only surviving major creation of the Treaty of Versailles, which ended the First World War. When the UN was formed in 1946 the ILO became part of it.

The ILO is devoted to advancing opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security, and human dignity. Our main aims are to promote rights at work, encourage more and better employment opportunities, enhance social protection, and strengthen social dialogue in handling work-related issues.

For further information please contact:

Mr Lawrence Ong
Communications Officer