Press Releases

Regional Office press releases

• Disability Equality Training for Parliamentarians in Zambia *MPs PLEDGE ACTION ON INCLUSION OF DISABLED PEOPLE*
  7-8 August 2009 – Members of influential Parliamentary Committees have pledged to do all they can to ensure the full rights of people with disabilities in Zambia. They aim to achieve this through awareness raising at all levels, and by pressing for the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
• Technical Seminar: Labour Market Information to Monitor Progress on Decent Work in Africa and
  African Preview: ILO Guide to the New Millennium Development Goals Employment Indicators
  23 July 2009 – The ILO seminar running from 20 July to 24 July 2009 is a follow-up to the endorsement of the four new employment indicators under the Millennium Development Goals’ (MDG) Target 1b (Achieve full productive employment and decent work for all) by the Secretary General of the UN and the President of the General Assembly at a UN High Level Meeting on the 25th September 2008.
• New ILO report says “Cost of Coercion” to workers in forced labour surpasses USD 20 billion per year
  12 May 2009 – In a new study on the patterns of forced labour worldwide, the International Labour Office (ILO) says the “opportunity cost” of coercion to the workers affected reaches over USD 20 billion per year.
• World Day for Safety and Health at Work Public march in Addis Ababa urged for a strong safety culture at work
  28 April 2009 – More than 250 representatives from government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, staff members from the Public Health Department of Addis Ababa University and the International Labour Organization (ILO) called for a strong safety culture at work on 26th April at a public rally in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
• National Tripartite Symposium tackles job crisis through Decent Work and Social Dialogue
  23 April 2009 – The President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Girma Wolde Giorgis opened the first national tripartite symposium on “Mitigating the present economic and job crisis through decent work and social dialogue” held under the auspices of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Addis Ababa.
• National High Level Tripartite Symposium on “Mitigating the present Economic and Job Crisis through Decent Work and Social Dialogue”
  23 April 2009 - What began as a crisis in finance markets has rapidly become a global jobs crisis. Unemployment is rising. The number of working poor is increasing. Businesses are going under. Concern is growing over the balance, fairness and sustainability of the sort of globalization we have had in the run up to the financial crash.
• Ethiopia Marks the 90th Anniversary of the International Labour Organization (ILO)
  21-28 April 2009 - Press conference on the celebrations of the 90th Anniversary of the International Labour Organization (ILO)
• ILO launches third call for proposals to promote cooperatives in Africa
  13 April 2009 - The International Labour Organization (ILO) today announced the launch of a third call for proposals to promote cooperatives through the Cooperative Facility for Africa programme.- (ILO/09/00)
• Regional Meeting adopts Decent Work Agenda in Africa 2007-15
  Sets ambitious targets to be achieved by 2015
  27 April 2007 - Faced with a continental challenge of growth that is failing to create enough better quality jobs to stop rising unemployment and an increasing number of people living in poverty, top worker, employer and government representatives of the ILO's African member States today adopted a sweeping new Decent Work Agenda in Africa 2007-15." - (ILO/07/17)
• 11th African Regional Meeting opens with calls for continent-wide mobilization for decent work
  10,000 African women and men added each day to growing ranks of extreme working poor
  24 April 2007 - Noting that "growth with few good jobs is not politically sustainable", ILO Director-General Juan Somavia today called for a new development approach in Africa which "puts people at the centre of development and judges the success of economic and social policy according to what happens to people at work." - (ILO/07/14)
• 11th ILO African Regional Meeting, Addis Ababa, 24-27 April - Despite upturn, African economies still lack enough decent jobs: Governments, employers and workers to discuss new "policy portfolio" for reducing poverty, creating decent work
  23 April 2007 - Widespread economic growth and increased productivity in Africa has been insufficient to reduce the growing numbers of unemployed and working poor, according to new analyses prepared by the International Labour Office (ILO). - (ILO/07/13)

Selected ILO press releases

• 25 September 2009 , Geneva , Switzerland
  G20 commit to Putting Quality Jobs at the Heart of the Recovery
  

  Leaders of the G20 have welcomed the ILO Global Jobs Pact and the building of “an employment-oriented framework for future economic growth”.

• Despite continued rise in unemployment, measures taken by G20 governments will save up to 11 million jobs in 2009, ILO says
  18 September 2009 - Employment and social protection measures taken by G20 governments since the economic crisis began will have created or saved an estimated 7 to 11 million jobs in the G20 countries this year, the Director-General of the International Labour Office (ILO) said in a communication, entitled "Protecting People, Promoting Jobs: From crisis response to recovery and sustainable growth", to be presented to ... (ILO/09/45)

• ILO welcomes new support for the Global Jobs Pact from the UN Economic and Social Council
  27 July 2009 - The International Labour Office welcomed the adoption of a resolution on the ILO’s Global Jobs Pact sponsored by more than 170 countries attending the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) meeting in Geneva.

• ILO adopts "Global Jobs Pact” aimed at creating jobs, protecting workers and stimulating economic recovery
  19 June 2009 - Faced with the prospect of a prolonged global increase in unemployment, poverty and inequality and the continuing collapse of enterprises, the International Labour Organization adopted a Global Jobs Pact designed to guide national and international policies aimed at stimulating economic recovery, generating jobs and providing protection to working people and their families.
• ILO meets with high-level experts to discuss the crisis and the future of the automotive industry
  22 May 2009 - Against the backdrop of the global economic and social crisis, senior experts on the automotive sector from Europe, Asia and the Americas met here on 20-21 May with top officials of the International Labour Organization (ILO) to discuss the state of the automotive industry and its future directions.
• ILO Director-General calls London G20 Summit "an important step forward on a difficult road"
  03 April 2009 - The Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Juan Somavia welcomed the outcome of the London G20 Summit, saying that “The leaders of the G20 have made significant progress in consolidating a coordinated international response to the deepening global crisis".
• ILO calls for urgent global jobs pact to forestall "prolonged and severe" employment crisis
  24 March 2009 - The Director-General of the International Labour Organization called for a “Global Jobs Pact” to forestall a “prolonged and severe” jobs crisis that would lead to a massive increase in unemployment and working poverty.
• ILO warns economic crisis could generate up to 22 million more unemployed women in 2009, jeopardize equality gains at work and at home
  05 March 2009 - The economic crisis is expected to increase the number of unemployed women by up to 22 million in 2009, the International Labour Office (ILO) says in its annual Global Employment Trends for Women report (GET), adding that the global jobs crisis is expected to worsen sharply with the deepening of the recession in 2009
• ILO delegates call for urgent new policy measures to address growing job losses in the financial sector
  27 February 2009 - Worker, employer and government representatives called for urgent new policies and measures to mitigate the severe impact of the global financial and economic crisis on the more than 20 million financial sector workers worldwide and to stimulate a sustainable economic recovery
• ILO meeting to discuss employment crunch in the financial sector
  23 February 2009 - More than 100 senior representatives of governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations, gather here on 24-25 February to discuss the impact of the economic crisis on the more than 20 million people employed in the financial sector worldwide
• Unemployment, working poor and vulnerable employment to increase dramatically due to global economic crisis
  28 January 2009 - The global economic crisis is expected to lead to a dramatic increase in the number of people joining the ranks of the unemployed, working poor and those in vulnerable employment, the International Labour Office (ILO) says in its annual Global Employment Trends report (GET).
• ILO warns of cuts in real wages for millions of workers in 2009 – Declines follow decade in which wages failed to keep pace with economic growth
  25 November 2008 - The global economic crisis is expected to lead to painful cuts in the wages of millions of workers worldwide in the coming year, according to a new report published today by the International Labour Office (ILO).
• ILO expresses deep concern over economic crisis, moves to forge policy responses based on decent work
  21 November 2008 - Amid growing concern over the impact of economic turmoil on workers, employers and governments, the Governing Body of the International Labour Office (ILO) took the first steps toward forging employment and social policy responses through social dialogue aimed at meeting the challenges of the deepening global economic crisis
• ILO says global financial crisis to increase unemployment by 20 million
  20 October 2008 - The global financial crisis could increase world unemployment by an estimated 20 million women and men, the Director-General of the International Labour Office (ILO) said today. “We need prompt and coordinated government actions to avert a social crisis that could be severe, long-lasting and global”, he added.
• World of Work Report 2008 - Global income inequality gap is vast and growing
  16 October 2008 - Despite strong economic growth that produced millions of new jobs since the early 1990s, income inequality grew dramatically in most regions of the world and is expected to increase due to the current global financial crisis, according to a new study published today by the research arm of the International Labour Organization.
• ILO Gender Equality campaign highlights need for rights, jobs and social security for older women and men
  01 October 2008 - Despite increasing international attention to ageing societies and older persons, in many societies, older persons and especially older women, still face age discrimination in the workplace and lack access to rights, jobs and social security, the International Labour Office said today on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons.
• Landmark new report says emerging green economy could create tens of millions of new “Green Jobs”
  24 September 2008 - A new, landmark study on the impact of an emerging global “green economy” on the world of work says efforts to tackle climate change could result in the creation of millions of new “green jobs” in the coming decades
• Breaking gender barriers for young women and men
  11 August 2008 - Despite efforts by the international community, gender stereotyping and employment barriers continue to affect millions of young women and men around the world, said the International Labour Organization today on the occasion of International Youth Day.
• ILO Director-General deplores death of ILO staff member
  13 December 2007 - Deeply regretting the loss of life of at least nine UN staff members following the attack on the UN premises in Algiers on 11 December 2007, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Juan Somavia announced the death of an ILO staff member, Mr. Abderrahim Hanniche, as a result of the bomb blast.
• ILO and Gates foundation join forces to develop range of insurance products in developing countries
  06 December 2007 - The International Labour Organization announced a partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that aims to develop new kinds of insurance and improve existing products to promote decent work for tens of millions of low-income people in the developing world.
• ILO awards first Decent Work Research Prize to Nelson Mandela and Carmelo Mesa-Lago
  15 June 2007 - The International Labour Organization today awarded its first annual Decent Work Research Prize to Nobel peace laureate and former South African President Nelson Mandela and to the eminent academic and specialist in social security, Professor Carmelo Mesa-Lago, citing their contributions to improving the lives of people around the world.
• President of Senegal says Decent Work is the key to economic and social development
  12 June 2007 - The President of the Republic of Senegal, Mr. Abdoulaye Wade, today told the plenary session of the 96th annual conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO) that economic and social development must be based on Decent Work.
• Decent Work Agenda instrumental for African Renaissance, says President of Ghana
  04 June 2007 - The ILO Decent Work Agenda can play a pivotal role in assuring human dignity and an African Renaissance, H.E. Mr John Kufuor, President of the Republic of Ghana and Chairperson of the African Union (AU) said today in an address to the annual Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
• Regional Meeting adopts Decent Work Agenda in Africa 2007-15: Sets ambitious targets to be achieved by 2015
  27 April 2007 - Faced with a continental challenge of growth that is failing to create enough better quality jobs to stop rising unemployment and an increasing number of people living in poverty, top worker, employer and government representatives of the ILO's African member States today adopted a sweeping new "Decent Work Agenda in Africa 2007-15".
• ILO Governing Body concludes 297th Session Considers labour situation in Myanmar, Belarus and other countries
  November 2006 - The Governing Body of the International Labour Office (ILO) concluded its 297th session here following discussions on a range of issues including: follow-up activities to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) ministerial declaration on generating full and productive employment and decent work for all.
• ILO Governing Body opens 297th session Labour situation in Belarus and Myanmar will be discussed, along with youth employment and labour inspection
  November 2006 - The Governing Body of the International Labour Office (ILO) will address a wide range of issues at its 297th session beginning here today, including basic labour rights in Myanmar and Belarus, the ILO response to the post-crisis situation in Lebanon and the latest report of the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association.
• South African elected new Chairman of ILO Governing Body Committee on Freedom of Association cites Cambodia, Djibouti, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Zimbabwe
  June 2006 - The Governing Body of the International Labour Office (ILO) elected Mr. Membathisi Mphumzi Shepherd Mdladlana, Minister of Labour of the Republic of South Africa, as Chairman for its 2006-07 Session.
• H.E. Ms. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia, addresses ILO annual Conference Calls for urgent action for peace and development as unemployment reaches estimated 85 per cent
  June 2006 - Facing an unemployment level that has risen to an estimated 85 per cent, Liberia requires immediate support to create sustainable conditions for peace and development, H.E. Ms. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia, told the annual Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO) here today.
• International Day of Disabled Persons 2005 - Disabled people in Ethiopia: Making public services work for poor people
  December 2005 - Most of Addis Ababa's estimated 3 million population lives in slums and informal settlements. While 24 per cent of housing units have no toilets at all, 45 per cent share pit latrines. Earlier this year, the President of Ethiopia officially opened the first of 30 modern public shower and toilet facilities run by a cooperative of disabled persons in Addis Ababa with the support of the ILO.
• World AIDS Day - Employers in Cameroon: Saving tomorrow's workforce
  December 2005 - The business world is now having to deal not only with the human cost of HIV/AIDS but also losses in profits and productivity. At the same time the workplace can play a vital role in reducing the spread and impact of the epidemic.
• ILO, AFDB strengthen support for women-run businesses in Africa New studies cite women's growing role in African economic development
  November 2005 - African women entrepreneurs are playing an ever-increasing role in African economies and will receive new support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the African Development Bank, the two organizations have announced here.
• Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo addresses ILO Conference Decent work, debt relief needed to build a "new Africa"
  June 2005 - Noting that employment creation has become "an explicit and central objective" of Africa's economic and social policies, Nigerian President HE Olusegun Obasanjo today urged the continent's development partners to join it in making the decent work agenda of the International Labour Organization (ILO) a global goal.
• President Abdelaziz Bouteflika calls for a social dimension of globalization
  June 2005 - The next United Nations Summit scheduled in September 2005 to review the Millennium Declaration should promote renewed international efforts to build a social dimension of globalization, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, told delegates to the annual conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO) here today.
• Forced labour in Africa: between poverty and tradition
  May 2005 - The ILO estimate of the number of victims of forced labour in sub-Saharan Africa is 660,000. In this region, the figure reflects the stubborn survival of traditional forms of servitude, but also relates to extreme poverty, a high incidence of child labour, and a context of severe political violence.
• Africa: insecurities compound poverty
  May 2005 - Africa has suffered greater economic insecurity and instability than any other region of the world during the past decade and half.
• Global Campaign for Social Security hits its stride
  January 2005 -The recent launch of a national campaign to provide Kenya's population with social security was the latest in a series of events designed to expand the ILO's Global Campaign on Social Security and Coverage for All.
• Media advisory: ILO lends support to African network of mutual health organizations
  November 2004 -The Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Juan Somavia is visiting India on the invitation of the Government of India from 26 to 28 November 2004 for high level discussions with the government and representatives of workers' and employers' organizations.
• Africa: working out of poverty
  November 2004 - Today, Africa is working to find a way out of poverty. At the Extraordinary Summit on Employment and Poverty Alleviation in Ouagadougou in September 2004, many African heads of state and government formally adopted a Declaration making the job creation a prime objective for reducing poverty.
• ILO Director-General Addresses Extraordinary Summit of African Union says, "good national governance will not succeed unless we have good global governance"
  September 2004 - The Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Juan Somavia, today said that good national governance affirms "Africa's right to expect global fairness" and that "good national governance will not succeed unless we have good global governance."
• Gawanas Bience: "Decent work is about realizing how each of us can make a contribution to the whole"
  April 2004 - Last September, Gawanas Bience, a Namibian lawyer and ombudswoman in her country for the last seven years, was elected Commissioner for Labour and Social Affairs of the African Union (AU). ILO Online spoke to her about a wide range of issues, including employment, international labour standards, social protection and social dialogue.
• Regional meeting concludes with pledge to strengthen ILO role in African development "Decent Work for Africa's Development"
  December 2003 - After four days of discussion, the International Labour Organization's Xth African Regional Meeting concluded today with a broad set of recommendations on putting employment at the centre of Africa's development strategies and strengthening the organization's role in poverty reduction on the continent.
• ILO delegates lay groundwork for African summit on poverty and employment Burkina Faso President stresses job creation as critical to poverty reduction
  December 2003 - To fight poverty, African nations must reorganize their development priorities around the challenge of creating jobs, Burkina Faso President H.E. Blaise Compaore told delegates to the to the International Labour Organization's Xth African Regional Meeting.
• Xth African Regional Meeting Opens with Calls for Changes in International Policies on Poverty Alleviation Job-Centred Development is the Focus
  December 2003 - With the challenges of reducing poverty and promoting job-centered development topping their agenda, African labour ministers and representatives of workers' and employers' organizations will open the International Labour Organization's Xth African Regional Meeting tomorrow in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
• President of the Republic of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, addresses 91st International Labour Conference
  December 2003 - "The resources exist within the world economy and society to achieve the objective of the eradication of poverty, globally", the President of the Republic of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, told delegates at a special sitting of the International Labour Conference.