Articles

December 2009

Ageing societies: The benefits, and the costs, of living longer

01 December 2009

Population ageing, defined as a process which increases the proportion of old people within the total population, is one of the main problems of this century. It affects or will affect both developed and developing countries. It appears on the agendas of meetings of all kinds, from the G8 conferences to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summits. According to a report for a recent meeting of the International Social Security Association (ISSA) , this does not mean, however, that all the necessary action has been taken yet.
Turning crisis into an opportunity: The role of social security in response and recovery

01 December 2009

Even before the current economic crisis, national social security systems were under intense political and economic strain. In industrialized countries, the cost was considered too high, while in many developing countries they were simply considered unaffordable. Now, the economic and social crisis has changed perceptions. Social security systems are seen more and more as useful economic stabilizers in crisis times. Michael Cichon, Director of the ILO’s Social Security Department, looks at social security in times of crisis and the possible dawn of a new development paradigm.
Social security: Responding to the crisis

01 December 2009

The financial and economic crisis that began in 2007 has delivered a tumultuous two years for the financial world, sending many financial institutions into a tailspin and putting governments in difficulty. As one might expect with such an extensive crisis, social security systems have also been affected, and social security funds have suffered. A large number of these schemes witnessed a sharp contraction of their asset portfolio values in 2008, affecting their long-term sustainability. Nevertheless, social security systems have responded effectively to the test by softening the impact of the crisis. The challenge for social security now is to continue to cope with rising unemployment and the burden of future debt. Ian Orton, working for the International Social Security Association’s (ISSA) Social Security Observatory, looks at the impact of the crisis on social security.

November 2009

‘Coming out’ from isolation, stigma and discrimination in the Caribbean

30 November 2009

The world’s current economic woes have already forced some governments to curtail HIV/AIDS programmes. This is why World AIDS Day focuses on universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support as a fundamental human right this year. For the ILO, the workplace is at the centre of efforts to guarantee this right. ILO Online reports from ILO HIV/AIDS workplace education projects in the Caribbean.
Negotiating for social justice: Collective bargaining in times of crisis

19 November 2009

This year marks the 60th anniversary of ILO Convention No. 98 on the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining. While much has changed since the Convention was adopted in 1949, collective bargaining remains a fundamental right, an important tool to improve incomes and working conditions, and advance social justice. ILO Online spoke with Susan Hayter, senior ILO industrial relations expert, about recent trends and innovations in collective bargaining worldwide, including responses to the economic crisis, discussed at an ILO meeting in Geneva this month.
Questions and answers on the impact of the crisis on people with disabilities

11 November 2009

With some 10 percent of the world population living with disabilities – the current global economic crisis is cause for concern. People with disabilities are often excluded and marginalized, and are particularly vulnerable in times of crisis. This week, Academy Award winning actress Marlee Matlin and a panel of experts will address the impact of the crisis on people with disabilities and what can be done about it. ILO Online spoke with Barbara Murray, senior disability specialist at the ILO, about the importance of including people with disabilities in measures to tackle the crisis.
Occupational safety and health in times of crisis: “We have to invest in a healthy workforce now”

05 November 2009

More than 300 participants from some 60 countries discussed this week the potential impact of the global economic crisis on occupational safety and health (OSH) at an international conference hosted by the ILO in Düsseldorf on “Implementing Occupational Safety and Health Standards Globally”. ILO Online asked Dr. Sameera Al-Tuwaijri, Director of the ILO’s Safe Work Programme, to draw some conclusions from the meeting.
Czech student wins international letter writing contest on decent work

05 November 2009

More than 2 million children from some 60 countries took part in the 2009 international letter writing competition for young people organized by the Universal Postal Union (UPU). The theme chosen for this year was “Decent Work”, a notion at the heart of the work of the International Labour Organization (ILO). First prize was awarded to a 14-year-old girl from the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic. Here is how her letter about a bar of chocolate lead to her realizing the value of decent work.
Fighting a leading killer: how the German TÜV promotes health at the workplace and beyond

04 November 2009

It is estimated that one million people worldwide develop colorectal cancer every year. In 2008, the German TÜV, a private-sector regulatory and safety inspection body, launched a colorectal cancer screening campaign reaching tens of thousands of employees. This week, the initiative was presented at an international ILO occupational safety and health conference in Düsseldorf.
Peacebuilding as one: UN launches new policy on generating employment in post-conflict environments

03 November 2009

Promoting employment is difficult in peacetime, and significantly more so in post-conflict situations. A major new effort by 20 UN agencies, funds and programmes now aims to scale up and maximize the impact, coherence and efficiency of employment support to post-conflict countries. ILO Online spoke with José-Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, Executive Director of the ILO Employment Sector which oversees the ILO Programme on Crisis Response and Reconstruction about the “United Nations Policy for Post-Conflict Employment Creation, Income Generation and Reintegration” to be launched in Geneva on 4 November