Books and reports

January 2012

1. 

   Human Rights, Development and Decolonization. The International Labour Organization, 1940–70

   31 January 2012

   "A break-through in historical scholarship on international politics in the twentieth century in general and on the role of international organizations, human rights and development in particular. It is immensely gratifying to see this excellent book appear in English translation, which makes it available to the large international audience it deserves. A carefully drafted, well-written study, the book will become a standard work for scholars and students in history, political science, human rights and development studies." – Corinna R. Unger, Jacobs University Bremen, Germany

September 2011

1. 

   Trade Unions and the Global Crisis: Labour’s Visions, Strategies and Responses

   30 September 2011

   If the recent global economic crisis has debilitated labour in many parts of the world, many segments of the trade union movement have been fighting back, combining traditional and innovative strategies and articulating alternatives to the dominant political and economic models. This book offers a composite overview of the responses of trade unions and other workers’ organizations to neoliberal globalization in general and to the recent financial crisis in particular.

June 2011

1. 

   There is an alternative: Economic policies and labour strategies beyond the mainstream

   09 June 2011

   A key message of the 2011 Global Labour Column anthology is that we need a plurality of ideas in order to develop and ultimately choose between different policy options. This volume will be of great interest to academic scholars as well as trade union activists and policy-makers.

March 2011

1. 

   Indonesia: Reinforcing domestic demand in times of crisis

   28 March 2011

   Indonesia was one of the few economies to have demonstrated resilience to the global crisis in terms of both growth and employment. This study shows that the ability of this country to weather the crisis was almost entirely due to the country’s reliance on a series of strong social protection schemes which were implemented after the 1997 Asian financial crisis. It also addresses the challenges which lie ahead and the areas for improvement.

2. 

   Germany: A Job-centred approach

   28 March 2011

   Despite a dramatic decline in output as a result of the global financial and economic crisis, Germany’s labour market held up well compared with other countries. This was the conclusion reached by the first comprehensive assessment of Germany’s policy to tackle the crisis, issued by the ILO.

3. 

   Brazil: An innovative income-led strategy

   28 March 2011

   Brazil, while not immune to the effects of the financial and economic crisis, has fared reasonably well compared to many countries in terms of economic and labour market performance. This report examines the way in which social protection measures were utilized in order to mitigate the social and economic effects of the crisis. It also addresses the challenges which lie ahead and the areas for improvement.

4. 

   Making recovery sustainable: Lessons from country innovations

   28 March 2011

   Synthesis of a new series of “Studies on Growth with Equity”, this paper by the International Institute for Labour Studies of the ILO shows that growth and equity can be achieved in parallel if the right mix of policies is put in place. It is based on findings from reviews for three countries (Brazil, Germany and Indonesia) which are available hereunder.

March 2009

1. 

   The International Labour Organization and the quest for social justice, 1919-2009

   16 March 2009

   The International Labour Organization was founded in 1919 in the belief that peace and social justice go hand in hand. This book explores key ideas that the ILO has championed and applied through the political and economic upheavals of the last 90 years.: rights at work, the quality of employment, income protection, employment and poverty reduction, a fair globalization and today's overriding goal of decent work for all.

May 2004

1. 

   A fair globalization. The role of the ILO. Report of the Director-General on the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization (Report 92).

   21 May 2004

   Explores how the ILO can develop a central recommendation of the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization to make decent work a global goal. Discusses six broad policy themes: national policies to address globalization; decent work in global production systems; growth, investment and employment and the case for dialogue and global policy coherence; constructing a socio-economic floor; the global economy and the cross-border movement of people; and strengthening the international labour standards system. Examines the role of the ILO in mobilizing action for change.

February 2004

1. A fair globalization: Creating opportunities for all

   24 February 2004

   Using worldwide expertise, examines the various facets of globalization, the diversity of public perceptions of the process, and its implications for economic and social progress. Proposes a series of coordinated measures across a broad front to improve governance and accountability at both national and international levels. These include fairer rules for international trade, investment, finance and migration, which take account of all interests, rights and responsibilities; measures to promote core labour standards and a minimum level of social protection in the global economy; and new efforts to mobilize international resources to raise capabilities and meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Maps out the priorities for national, local and regional policies which can empower people to participate effectively in the opportunities of globalization.