Policy measures

Generating employment
The governments and employers’ and workers’ organizations that adopted the Pact in June 2009 recognized the urgent need to reduce the risk of long-term unemployment and increased informal work, which are difficult to reverse. They agreed to put full and productive employment and decent work at the heart of the crisis response, suggesting a wide range of potential policy responses.

Extending social protection
Countries that have strong social protection systems have a valuable inbuilt mechanism to stabilize their economies address the social impact of the crisis and alleviate poverty. The Pact encourages countries to reinforce existing systems where appropriate or to put in place new measures to assist the most vulnerable while building the foundation for more effective systems.

Respecting labour standards
Respect for International labour standards enshrined in ILO Conventions and Recommendations contributes to a culture of social dialogue that can help build the recovery and prevent a downward spiral in labour conditions. The Pact also calls for vigilance that the fundamental principles and rights at work – elimination of forced labour, child labour and discrimination at work, and the right to freedom of association – not fall by the wayside during the crisis.

Promoting social dialogue
Social dialogue, including collective bargaining, is an invaluable mechanism for reducing social tensions in times of crisis and designing policies to fit national priorities. It is a strong basis for building the commitment of employers and workers to joint action with governments to overcome the crisis and sustain recovery. Labour administration and inspection are important elements of action in this regard.

Shaping fair globalization
The ILO is collaborating fully with the United Nations and all relevant international organizations. In the Global Jobs Pact, the ILO’s tripartite membership encourages the Organization to promote effective and coherent social and economic recovery policies and shape a fair globalization. It calls for international cooperation on building a stronger, more globally consistent supervisory and regulatory framework for the financial sector so that it serves the real economy and promotes sustainable enterprises and decent work.