Features

2003

1. Article

   New HIV/AIDS initiative: growing solidarity in the world of work

   08 July 2003

   With an estimated 25 million or more workers infected with HIV, finding ways to help them and their employers deal with the consequences of the epidemic is a top priority. Top managers, employers' and workers' representatives and other stakeholders met recently at the ILO under the auspices of the UN Global Compact, to discuss action at the workplace to tackle the challenges posed by HIV/AIDS.

2. Article

   UN Convention on migrant workers rights enters into force

   02 July 2003

   GENEVA (ILO Online) – In a major development aimed at improving the lives of the world's vast mobile workforce, the UN International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families enters into force on today (1 July).

3. Article

   ILO: Travel woes: tourism and travel jobs suffer new decline

   23 May 2003

   Since January of 2002, when the ILO first reported major job losses in the travel and tourism sector due to post-September 11 economic woes and security concerns, the sector  is facing new problems. The recent outbreak of SARS has further cut into the sector, axing more jobs. ILO analyst Dirk Belau answers questions about the problems facing the sector.

4. Article

   After the G8: ILO discussion on security for seafarers takes on new urgency

   23 May 2003

   The just-ended G8 meeting in Evian, France, cited the need to work urgently through the ILO to develop a heightened security regime for the world's 1.2 million seafarers. Since the 9/11 attacks, the need for secure and internationally agreed identity documents for seafarers has become even more important to ocean-going trade and commerce, as their freedom of movement comes under greater scrutiny or is denied altogether. Discussions at this year's International Labour Conference will seek agreement on new security measures for seafarers that could be implemented as early as June 2004.

5. Article

   ILO: Work hazards kill millions, cost billions

   23 May 2003

   Workers, employers and governments are marking the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. In a new report, the ILO says the annual cost to the global economy is a staggering 1.25 thousand billion (trillion). This report outlines the occupational safety and health crisis and explains how it can be dealt with.

6. Article

   ILO: Workplace discrimination, a picture of hope and concern

   23 May 2003

   A new ILO report on discrimination at work - the most comprehensive to date - says workplace discrimination remains a persistent global problem, with new, more subtle forms emerging. While significant progress in combatting inequalities at the workplace is cause for hope, the report says new forms of discrimination are cause for growing concern.

7. Article

   ILO concern: the unbearable fate of child soldiers

   23 May 2003

   Among the voiceless victims of the worst forms of child labour are child soldiers - or children who fight - for whatever reason - or provide various forms of support in conflicts. Many of these children face not only the dangers of combat, but suffer physical abuse or rape at the hands of their fellow combatants. A recent conference organized by the US Department of Labor (USDOL) in Washington highlighted the plight of child soldiers, and announced a $13 million programme to rehabilitate them - including $7 million to develop comprehensive strategies with the ILO.

8. Article

   Employment in the utilities sector continues to decline

   23 May 2003

   Mergers and acquisitions in the water, electricity and gas services have resulted in a continuous employment decline in most countries since 1985, according to a new report by the International Labour Office (ILO) to be discussed at a "Tripartite Meeting on Challenges and Opportunities Facing Public Utilities" here on 19-23 May 2003.