Features

2008

1. 

   Article

   Decent Work for the Panama Canal

   02 June 2008

   Extension work on the Panama Canal began a few months ago. When the Canal was inaugurated in 1914 to link two oceans, thousands of workers had died. This shows the importance of the decision to carry out the new project respecting Decent Work principles, according to the Minister of Labour of Panama and President of the 97th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Edwin Salamín Jaén.

2. 

   Article

   International Women's Day 2008 - Smart women, right decisions: a recipe for decent work

   06 March 2008

   More and more women are entering the labour markets around the world, according to a new report published by the ILO to coincide with International Women’s Day. However, women continue to bear the brunt when it comes to vulnerable employment. Investing in decent work for women is not only right, but smart, says the ILO. Here are two stories that prove so.

3. 

   Article

   International Women’s Day 2008 – Financing for gender equality and empowerment of women: Report from Ethiopia

   06 March 2008

   The ILO annually celebrates International Women’s Day with a unique theme focusing on women in the world of work. This year’s focus will be on promoting Decent Work and the empowerment of women, under the slogan “Investing in Decent Work for Women: Not just right, but smart”. Among the global events to be held around Women’s Day are a series of activities in Ethiopia. ILO News reports.

2007

1. Article

   Questions and answers about the ILO Forum on Decent Work for a Fair Globalization

   30 October 2007

   Political and opinion leaders from around the globe will meet in Lisbon, Portugal from 31 October to 2 November 2007 to discuss the role of decent work as the key to economic, social and environmental sustainability and a fair and inclusive globalization.

2. 

   Article

   When decent work takes flight: Safe work in airports as an example of making decent work a local reality

   21 September 2007

   Frankfurt Airport is one of the largest in the world. To manage growing international competition and increasing record traffic, it has begun an 8 billion Euro expansion of its take off and landing capacities, which will take place over the next 10 years. The project is expected to create some 25,000 new jobs, but also raises environmental and social issues. One of these is how to guarantee a safe and healthy working place for old and new staff members. ILO Online reports.

3. 

   Article

   Timor-Leste: Setting the STAGE for a brighter future

   13 July 2007

   Despite a significant boost in national income last year from oil revenues, Timor-Leste is amongst the world’s poorest nations. While unemployment in rural areas is at least 20 per cent, it reaches 43 per cent among urban youth. ILO Online reports from Timor-Leste where the ILO’s STAGE programme supports an enabling business environment that will be critical in the years ahead to create decent and gainful employment and reduce income poverty.

4. Article

   Decent work in New Zealand: Thinking globally, acting locally

   05 February 2007

   The launch last week of a new campaign on decent work and a website by the government, employers and workers of New Zealand reinforces the reputation of the country as a leader in promoting more and better jobs, social protection, fundamental rights at work and social dialogue. ILO Online reports.

2006

1. 

   Article

   Child labour in Latin America: The accident that changed Braulio's life

   04 May 2006

   According to the new ILO Global Report "The end of child labour: Within reach", Latin America and the Caribbean have seen a rapid decline in child labour over the past four years. The number of children at work in the region has fallen by two-thirds, with just 5 per cent of children now engaged in work. ILO Online reports from Peru where the ILO works towards the progressive elimination of child labour in artisanal mines.

2. 

   Article

   Regional Meeting for the Americas 2-5 May: Youth employment in Latin America: Overcoming a lost decade

   03 May 2006

   In Latin America, 9.5 million young people out of 57 million aged 15-24 are unemployed. Victims of the "lost decade", they were born between 1980 and 1990 and represent 42 per cent of open unemployment in the region. According to the report prepared for the ILO Regional Meeting for the Americas, the situation is even worse if we take account of the 21 per cent of youth in the region who "do not work nor study". And millions of youth are trapped in temporary and casual jobs that offer no labour or social protection and few prospects for advancement. ILO Online reports from Bolivia.

3. 

   Article

   International Women's Day 2006: More, but not always better jobs for women in Latin America

   28 February 2006

   With 33 million women joining the labour market between 1990 and 2004, women now represent 40 per cent of the economically active population in urban areas in Latin America. A recent detailed ILO study of progress achieved in women's labour force participation shows mixed results in terms of access to quality jobs, unemployment, remuneration and social protection. ILO Online reports from Bolivia where women's rights activist Casimira Rodriguez Romero was recently appointed Minister of Justice and Human Rights.