Articles

May 2008

1. 

   International Labour Conference, June 2008 - Decent Work in rural areas: a key path for poverty reduction

   30 May 2008

   Some 3.4 billion people, slightly under half of the world’s population, now live in rural areas. Though the great majority live in developing countries and are poor, their situation, along with the impact of climate change, food price rises and other factors are visibly in the news. Promotion of rural employment and poverty reduction is one of the main topics of discussion at this year’s International Labour Conference meeting in Geneva from 28 May to 13 June. Here are some questions and answers on the state of rural employment today and the key issues for consideration when discussing how to reduce rural poverty through the promotion of Decent Work.

2. 

   International Labour Conference, June 2008 - Tools for success: skills training in Timor-Leste

   29 May 2008

   Ranked as one of the 10 poorest countries in the world, Timor-Leste faces a daunting development challenge. But it also provides a practical example of the ‘virtuous circle’ fostered by skills development in terms of higher productivity, more employment of better quality, income growth and development – to be discussed at this year's International Labour Conference in Geneva. ILO Online reports from Timor-Leste.

3. 

   Promoting better work in global supply chains: Cambodian garment workers show talent

   02 May 2008

   Better Factories Cambodia, a joint initiative of the ILO and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, is often cited as an example of how closer links between the two organizations can improve labour practices and competitiveness in global supply chains. But workers also have their own talents, as shown during a recent song contest organized among garment workers. ILO Online reports.

April 2008

1. 

   World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2008 - “Superman has fallen”: Managing risk in the work environment

   24 April 2008

   Each year, an estimated 2.2 million people die from work-related accidents and diseases around the world, according to the ILO which says that work related deaths appear to be on the rise. But risks can be eliminated or minimized at source, says a new ILO report published for World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April. ILO Online reports from the Republic of Korea where the country’s occupational safety and health agency KOSHA launched a number of initiatives to prevent accidents at work.

2. 

   The ILO/USDOL International HIV/AIDS Workplace Education Programme - Stories from the field

   15 April 2008

   Approximately 650 workplaces in 24 countries stretching from Benin to China are now involved with in the workplace education programme known as SHARE (Strategic HIV/AIDS Responses in Enterprises). Overall, an estimated million workers benefit from the ILO interventions financed by the United States Department of Labor. These are some lessons learned from SHARE countries

3. 

   Saving lives, protecting jobs: new horizons in the fight against HIV/AIDS at work

   14 April 2008

   HIV is having a devastating effect on the world of work. The majority of the 33.2 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS are working and have skills and experience their families, workplace and countries can ill afford to lose. As the UN’s lead agency in HIV/AIDS workplace interventions, the ILO is launching a new report highlighting strategic responses to HIV/AIDS in enterprises worldwide. ILO Online spoke with Dr Sophia Kisting, Director of the ILO/AIDS.

4. 

   Conditional cash transfer programmes: a useful step in the fight against poverty

   08 April 2008

   Conditional cash transfer programmes constitute an important tool for reducing poverty and promoting social inclusion – two key objectives of the International Labour Organization. Mexico has one of the most successful programmes of this type, which was recently the focus of a seminar at the ILO headquarters in Geneva. But as it was clear from the discussion that followed, these programmes are not exempt from risks.

5. 

   No vacuum: Cleaning up cleaning contracts

   01 April 2008

   A hidden army of workers is at work each day cleaning the world’s office blocks. Many office staff never meet the people who empty their garbage and dust their desks, for cleaning contracts often specify that the work is to be undertaken out of normal work time, in the early morning or evening periods. Yet cleaners are an essential part of modern office life. Andrew Bibby reports.

6. 

   We’re in business! From Better Factories to Better Work. World of Work looks at a country project that grew into a major global programme.

   01 April 2008

   The ILO’s work with the private sector is not new. But in recent years there have been some interesting developments in ILO support to companies in their CSR-related activities. World of Work looks at a country project that grew into a major global programme, and interviews Ros Harvey, the Better Work Global Programme Manager.

7. 

   The Multinational Enterprises Declaration

   01 April 2008

   The story of the ILO’s Multinational Enterprises Declaration goes back more than three decades from before 1977, when it was formally adopted, to the end of the 1960s when the activities of multinationals were first beginning to attract serious attention – and, from some quarters, serious criticism.