News

February 2009

1. Economic crisis response must support jobs, SMEs, vulnerable sector, ILO meeting concludes

   23 February 2009

   Delegates representing workers, employers and ministries of finance, planning and labour from Asia and the Pacific suggested policies and measures to be urgently put in place to mitigate the expected severe impact of the global financial and economic crisis on economies in the region, and to stimulate a more rapid, more equitable and sustainable recovery.

2. Media advisory - ILO to mark the first World Day of Social justice

   19 February 2009

   The International Labour Office will mark the first World Day of Social Justice on 20 February with a debate on the theme “The crisis: threat or opportunity for social justice?”

3. 

   Asia-Pacific countries meet to discuss responses to global economic crisis

   18 February 2009

   Ministries of labour and finance, senior UN, World Bank and government officials, workers and employers representatives from more than 10 Asia and the Pacific countries are meeting in Manila this week to discuss effective responses to the current economic crisis.

4. 

   Microinsurance Innovation Facility calls for new proposals - Projects would encourage innovation, promote insurance services to the poor

   17 February 2009

   The ILO’s Microinsurance Innovation Facility today issued a call for new proposals for grants to encourage insurance providers to experiment with new products and partnerships aimed at bringing effective and affordable risk management solutions to working poor in developing countries.

5. ILO European Regional Meeting calls for coordinated response to economic crisis

   13 February 2009

   The 8th European Regional Meeting of the International Labour Organization concluded in Lisbon with calls for a coordinated effort to maintain employment and restore economic growth amid “the most serious economic crisis to hit Europe for 60 years”.

6. 

   ILO-IPEC, World Scout Movement extend cooperation to fight child labour

   12 February 2009

   Michele Jankanish, Director of the ILO’s International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) and Luc Panissod, Acting Secretary-General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to extend their cooperation in the fight against child labour for a further three years.

7. 

   European leaders, ILO Director-General and social partners discuss key policy responses to the financial and economic crisis

   12 February 2009

   A group of top European leaders joined the ILO Director-General and representatives of the social partners met in Lisbon for a high-level discussion on comprehensive policy responses to the financial and economic crisis.

8. 

   ILO European Regional Meeting opens amid calls for an urgent and coordinated response to the economic crisis

   10 February 2009

   The 8th European Regional Meeting of the International Labour Organization opened in Lisbon with calls for an integrated approach to halt the spiraling economic slowdown and build a new, “stronger, cleaner and fairer” economy for the future.

9. 

   Norway ratifies ILO Maritime Labour Convention

   10 February 2009

   The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway, H.E. Ms. Angell-Hansen, today deposited the instrument of ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, with the International Labour Organization on behalf of her Government. Norway is the first European country to ratify the Convention.

10. Panama Ratifies ILO Maritime Labour Convention

    06 February 2009

    The Ambassador of the Republic of Panama, HE Mr. Juan Alberto Castillero, deposited the instrument of ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 with the International Labour Organization. Panama, the largest flag State in the world, with nearly 25 per cent of the world’s merchant fleet flying its flag, is the fourth major shipping country in the world to ratify the Convention, adopted by the 94th International Labour Conference (Maritime) in Geneva in February 2006.