Events coverage

June 2013

The International Labour Conference ends its 102nd session

20 June 2013

In his closing remarks at the 102nd International Labour Conference, ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, called for urgent action in a number of critical areas to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving world of work.
Early and long-term unemployment leave deep scars says EC President

14 June 2013

President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy highlighted the need to urgently tackle the youth unemployment crisis in his address to the ILO's 102nd International Labour Conference. He said the European Council has redirected considerable amounts of EU funds, which have directly benefited 800,000 young people in the eight most affected countries.
Malawi is committed to combat child labour, says H.E. Mrs Joyce Banda

12 June 2013

H.E. Mrs Joyce Banda, President of Malawi pledged "to continue to champion the zero tolerance to child labour in Malawi, and also to intensify programs to eradicate the poverty which is the root cause of this problem". In her first visit to the ILO's International Labour Conference Mrs. Banda also added that "in these times of widespread economic challenges arising from the global financial and economic crisis, the relevance of the ILO today has become glaringly clear". After addressing the plenary sitting, Mrs Banda met with the African delegates of governments, workers' and employers' organizations.
Protecting worker rights in global supply chains

10 June 2013

At an information session of the 2013 International Labour Conference, trade union representatives criticized the practice of social audits and workplace certification for failing to protect worker rights, particularly in global supply chains. They welcomed the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh that aims to prevent tragedies like the Ran Plaza factory building collapse in which over 1100 workers died.
VCT@WORK: ILO and UNAIDS launch campaign to encourage voluntary HIV testing

06 June 2013

ILO Director-General and UNAIDS Executive Director launch new programme on voluntary and confidential HIV counselling and testing to reach 5 million workers world-wide.
© Said Khatib / AFP 2013

Continued restrictions thwart growth of Palestinian economy

06 June 2013

Restrictions on people and businesses, along with continued settlement activity by Israel are a major impediment to the Palestinian economy, according to this year's annual report on the situation of workers of the occupied Arab territories issued by the ILO.
The 102nd International Labour Conference - Opening Session

05 June 2013

The 102nd International Labour Conference opened with Dr. Nidal Katamine, Minister of Labour of Jordan and President of the Conference stating that "The financial and economic crises that the world has witnessed since 2008 and the tragedy of mass unemployment that has prevailed in many countries highlights the importance of the ILO and the vital social and economic role it plays globally". Dr. Katamine's opening remarks were followed by ILO's Director-General Guy Ryder's address in which he outlined his vision for tackling the various challenges that impact on workers, enterprises and governments around the world.

May 2013

ILO's Director-General visits a "Hello-Work" employment centre in Japan

16 May 2013

On his first trip to Japan as ILO's Director-General, Guy Ryder visited one of the Japanese Public Employment Security (PES) Centres, also known as a "Hello Work" centre, which is part of a network that serves 170,000 people each day nationwide. He met with the staff of their largest "Hello-Work" office in Tokyo and saw how the employment security system worked from the job seeker's point of view.
ILO's Director-General visits China

13 May 2013

On his first official visit to China, ILO's Director-General, Guy Ryder, visited the Beijing Haidian District Employment Centre, which serves 3.2 million job seekers. After meeting with officials of the Beijing Municipal Employment Service Centre and Haidian District Employment Centre, Mr Ryder was given a tour of the centre, and had the opportunity to talk to young job seekers.