Events coverage

March 2011

1. 

   The Egyptian Revolution as a Model for Peaceful Change (in Arabic)

   21 March 2011

   H.E. Dr. Ahmed El-Borai, Minister of Manpower and Migration of Egypt, spoke to the ILO Governing Body in a high-level discussion on Challenges and Change in the Arab World. He thanked the ILO Director-General for his support and for coming to Egypt to join in their declaration for trade union freedom. He described the Egyptian revolution as a model for "peaceful and rational changes in the region and the whole world" and as the inception of a new development process leading to a better future based on freedom, dignity and social justice. Other participants in the debate included Mr. Habib Yousfi, President of the General Confederation of Algerian Enterprises (CGEA); and Mr. Abdessalem Jerad, General Secretary of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT).

2. 

   The Value of Social Dialogue for Algerian Employers

   21 March 2011

   Mr. Habib Yousfi, President of the General Confederation of Algerian Enterprises (CGEA), spoke to the ILO Governing Body in a high-level discussion on Challenges and Change in the Arab World. He discussed the value of social dialogue between governments, employers and workers to “realize social peace and create a climate fostering economic development”. He also welcomed the ILO Director-General’s strategic initiatives in several countries in the region, insisting on values and rights, as “an example of political courage: You were at the right place at the right time, encouraging young people to seek a greater degree of freedom”. Other participants in the debate included H.E. Dr. Ahmed El-Borai, Minister of Manpower and Migration of Egypt; and Mr. Abdessalem Jerad, General Secretary of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT). (in French)

3. 

   Director-General Juan Somavia says ILO Ready to Assist in Egypt and Tunisia

   21 March 2011

   Referring to the situations in Egypt and Tunisia the ILO Director-General, Juan Somavia, said it is “a time when all actors of society are called upon to exercise their responsibilities so that they will be on the right side of history being made in front of your eyes by the peaceful, popular expression of the people’s will”, adding that “we at the ILO must be ready to assist them”. The Director-General spoke to the ILO Governing Body introducing a high-level discussion on Challenges and Change in the Arab World. Panel participants included H.E. Dr. Ahmed El-Borai, Minister of Manpower and Migration of Egypt; Mr. Habib Yousfi, President of the General Confederation of Algerian Enterprises (CGEA); and Mr. Abdessalem Jerad, General Secretary of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT).

4. 

   Michelle Bachelet on Social Protection Floors as a Response to Demands for Social Justice

   21 March 2011

   Mrs Michelle Bachelet, Chairperson of the Social Protection Floor Advisory Group and Executive Director of UN Women, discusses how the implementation of social protection floors can offer an effective response to the increasing demands for social justice in many countries. Mrs Bachelet was the key speaker during a workshop organized at the International Labour Office about the Social Protection Floor (SPF). She was also in Geneva to chair the second meeting of the Social Protection Floor Advisory Group.

5. 

   Director-General Juan Somavia Voices the ILO's Commitment to the Process of Transition in Egypt

   14 March 2011

   Mr. Juan Somavia, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), concluding an official visit to Egypt, expressed ILO support for the establishment of freedom of association and other labour market and economic reforms in the country. On the last day of his visit Mr. Juan Somavia met with the Prime Minister, Mr. Essam Sharaf and the Minister of Finance, Mr. Samir Radwan, and visited Tahrir Square.

6. 

   Egyptian Minister of Manpower and Migration issued statement granting Freedom of Association in Egypt

   12 March 2011

   In an official statement, the Egyptian Minister of Manpower and Migration, H.E. Mr. Ahmed El Borai, announced that freedom of association, which guarantees that all trade unions will be registered and can freely pursue their legitimate activities will be recognised in Egypt. (In Arabic)

7. 

   ILO Welcomes Egyptian Statement on Freedom of Association

   12 March 2011

   During an official visit to Egypt, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Mr. Juan Somavia, welcomed the statement of the Minister of Manpower and Migration of Egypt, H.E Dr. Ahmed El Borai on trade union rights. The Director-General was in Cairo at the invitation of the government to examine the labour and social situation of the country and the manner in which the ILO can best provide support and assistance during the transitional period and beyond.

November 2010

1. 

   Joint ILO-WHO-UNAIDS Policy Guidelines on Improving Health Workers' Access to HIV and TB Prevention: Press Conference

   19 November 2010

   Dr. Sophia Kisting, Director of the ILO Programme on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work, Ms. Elizabeth Tinoco, Director of the ILO Sectoral Activities Department and Ms. Susan Wilburn, from the WHO Occupational & Environmental Health Department, launched the Joint ILO-WHO-UNAIDS Policy Guidelines on Improving Health Workers' Access to HIV and TB Prevention, at a press conference in Geneva. The new guidelines are designed to help national health systems protect health workers who are too often exposed to hazards of infection in their workplace.

2. 

   World Social Security Report 2010/2011 Press Conference

   16 November 2010

   Mr. Assane Diop, Executive Director of the ILO Social Protection Sector and Mr. Micheal Cichon, Director of the ILO Social Security Department, launched the International Labour Organization's "World Social Security Report, 2010" at a press conference in Geneva. The report provides figures and analysis of social security systems around the world, while highlighting the crucial role social security coverage plays in lessenîng the impact of economic crises.

3. 

   Open Trade and Social Protection are Complementary: WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy Addresses the ILO's Governing Body

   15 November 2010

   The Director-General of the WTO, Pascal Lamy, addressed the Working Party on the Social Dimension of Globalization of the ILO's Governing Body, along with ILO Director-General Juan Somavia and Richard Kozul-Wight, senior economist at UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Wiseman Lumkile Nkuhlu, President of the International Organization of Employers (IOE), and Sharan Burrow, General-Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).