Comment and analysis
2013
-
Labour standards
Domestic workers deserve a better deal
15 January 2013
Op-ed by Malte Luebker, ILO Senior Regional Wage Specialist, published in the South China Morning Post (Hong Kong) on 12 January 2013.
2012
-
Skills
Wanted: Local workers for the oil and gas industry
12 December 2012
The oil and gas industry is facing increasing shortages of skilled workers. This could be an opportunity for oil- and gas-producing countries to boost the involvement of their local workforce.
-
Europe
Competitiveness and employment: Trying to square the circle
05 December 2012
Cutting costs can help a country become more competitive and boost exports as a result. But, as attractive as it may seem, EU countries, which trade heavily among themselves, cannot all gain a competitive edge at the same time.
-
World of Work
The challenges beyond the crisis
25 November 2012
There are strong forces besides the global economic crisis affecting labour markets worldwide. Understanding and shaping policies to respond to them will determine the present and future of the world of work. By José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs*
-
Unemployment insurance
More than 70 per cent of workers lack unemployment protection
14 November 2012
The recent global economic crisis has served as a stark reminder of why unemployment insurance matters. But the reality is that fewer than half of almost 200 countries monitored by the ILO offer such protection.
-
Social protection
Can China get old and rich at the same time?
07 November 2012
China has already done a lot to adapt labour markets and social protection systems to an ageing society. But it will have to do more to balance its economic and social needs.
-
Banking co-ops
What financial cooperatives can teach the big banks
05 November 2012
The success of financial cooperatives during the global financial crisis shows there is a credible alternative to the investment-owned banking system.
-
Measuring unemployment
Youth jobs count – but how?
02 November 2012
The latest EU figures show a further increase in youth unemployment, but there has been some debate in the past over whether to express those levels in rates rather than ratios. What is the difference between the two, and which, if any, is a more precise measurement?
-
Microinsurance
The win-win potential of microinsurance for migrants
29 October 2012
International migrants send home over US$ 400 billion a year, yet they and their families often lack basic social protection. That is where microinsurance can step in.
-
Labour rights
Domestic workers in Europe falling through the loopholes
24 October 2012
Many domestic workers in Europe do not enjoy as much legal protection as other workers. ILO Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers – which will come into force in a year’s time – offers a chance to improve the lives of the millions of people who work in this profession.