Video

Meet the Specialists: Magnus Berge, Workers organizations

14 June 2021

Magnus Berge, Senior Specialist for Workers' Organizations explains how he supports ILO work with Trade Unions in Central and Eastern Europe. He promotes Trade Unions so that they can work more effectively to improve working conditions of workers and to protect workers' rights across the region. He advises Trade Unions when their rights are violated. ILO work with Workers organizations focuses on four areas: 1) helping Trade Unions modernize their operations and structures, 2) improve their service delivery to members, 3) helping them to communicate better about laws, workers' rights and services available for them, and 4) helping to draft good policy proposals on labour laws based on International Labour Standards.

© AFP/Europress 2022

e-Estonia

Combatting informal employment goes digital: What can we learn from the Estonian experience?

03 June 2021

High rates of informal employment remain a challenge in most of Eastern Europe and range between 20% for Ukraine and 56% for Albania. The large informal economy reduces tax revenues, leads to unfair competition and negatively affects the quality of jobs. A considerable share of the workforce has no access to labour rights and social security. A new ILO publication analyses how Estonia used modern information technology to promote the transition to formality.

© ILO/Julia Druelle 2022

Labour standards

Kosovo*: Assessing gaps and identifying priority actions in safety and health at work

02 June 2021

Kosovo has been accelerating its effort to develop its occupational safety and health (OSH) legislation and labour inspectorate that are in line with international and European labour standards. As a systematic approach towards achieving safe and health workplaces in Kosovo, an OSH Profile has been prepared by the ILO in the framework of the project ‘’Promoting Decent Work through Strengthening OSH Management and Social Dialogue,’’ managed by UNOPS and funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) through the Embassy of Sweden in Pristina.

Occupational Safety and Health

The Republic of Moldova ratifies the Occupational Health Services Convention, 1985 (No. 161)

29 May 2021

© UN Montenegro 2022

One UN

“Building a conducive environment for collaboration is key” — Interview with Peter Lundberg, UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro

13 May 2021

The ILO asked the new Resident Coordinator about the UN response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the assistance ILO can provide for the country and how he sees his role after 4 months in the position.

Video

EU4Business ILO project supported start-ups in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Stories of beneficiaries

06 May 2021

Within the EU4Business project, with EU funding, the ILO promoted inter-municipal cooperation to provide inclusive support to start-ups in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Local Employment Partnership established cooperation among three municipalities (Jablanica, Konjic and Kakanj) to support vulnerable groups to register and run their own businesses. Technical support included entrepreneurship training based on the ILO Start and Improve Your Business methodology. Financial support meant grants for the registration and operation of new businesses. Over 110 individuals from vulnerable categories (long term unemployed women, youth, persons with disabilities and persons over 50 years of age) received entrepreneurship training that resulted in the registration of 36 new businesses and generated over 40 new jobs.

© AFP/Europress 2022

ILO/WHO partnership to protect health workers

Healthcare workers urgently need upgraded working conditions, safety and health protection against COVID-19 in Ukraine

05 May 2021

Health workers are at the forefront of the global fight against the COVID-19. In Ukraine, however, they face serious challenges in occupational health and safety and working conditions. On 16 April 2021, the ILO and WHO jointly organized a webinar to discuss the key challenges health workers face and to advocate for the implementation of a national occupational health and safety programme.

Video

ILO provides cash transfers for female textile workers dismissed because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Albania

05 May 2021

Through the “Empowering Women Against COVID-19” project, financed by the Government of Sweden, the ILO provided cash transfers for dismissed female workers, and supported ten textile and footwear companies to establish healthy and safe conditions in the workplace.

© iStock 2022

International Training Centre of the ILO

New challenges for TVET and skills development - what do you want to learn today?

30 April 2021

The importance of learning new skills has never been as evident as in the last year. Almost overnight, all of the global workforce had to admit they faced challenges with their digital skills. We had to switch to new ways of managing work and doing business, of participating in learning and delivering education and training to young people and adults alike. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education and skills development systems has been profound. Teachers, coordinators and policy makers discovered the challenges, but also the opportunities of applying digital learning technologies.

© ILO 2022

Rights of home-based workers

Slovenia signs ILO Home Work Convention No. 177

20 April 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a shift in work modalities. As workplaces became potential contaminators, home-based work became a preferred option both for employees and employers. However, not all national legislations have been prepared to provide solutions and employers confronted a legal void as they tried to adapt to the new circumstances. The ILO Convention No. 177 aims to promote and protect the rights of those who work at home. On 14 April 2021, ILO Director General Guy Ryder and Slovenian Minister Plenipotentiary, Damir Devčič signed the ILO Convention on Home Work.