ILO LIAISON OFFICE – BRUSSELS
NEWSLETTER NO. 2/2004
Publication of the report on the social dimension of globalisation
After two years of discussions and public opinion polls conducted around the globe, the World Commission on the
Social Dimension of Globalisation published its final report on 24 February. That Commission was set up by the ILO
Governing Body and assigned to prepare an authoritative report on the social dimension of globalisation, including
the economic links between the global economy and the world of work.
It was composed of political and public personalities with extensive expertise on the subject, who sought innovative
ways of reconciling economic, social and environmental objectives. The Commission made sure that its recommendations
reflected the widest possible consensus among the main players. Entitled "A Fair Globalisation: Creating Opportunities
for All", the report is the first study of such scope to attempt to shift the discussion on globalisation from
confrontation to dialogue. While underscoring the tremendous potential of the positive repercussions from globalisation
for the world's population, the report acknowledges that it is still very far from achieving that potential. Among
the measures that can make globalisation more social, the Commission cites in particular fairer rules for international
trade and migration, actions for promoting fundamental labour standards, and the establishment of a minimum level of
social security in the world economy.
The report and its synopsis can be consulted by
clicking here,
and the press release accompanying their publication by
clicking here.
The ILO contributes to a vast programme against child labour in India
In cooperation with the ILO, the Indian government has launched on 14 February a $40 million programme to
tackle the problem of child labour.
This programme concerns some 80,000 children who work in a dozen dangerous sectors, such as the firework, cigarette,
shoe, lock, match, brick, silk and glass industries. This most ambitious programme ever undertaken by the ILO in
one country is to be implemented by the ILO International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (
IPEC).
The action programme will be implemented over the next three years in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh
and Tamil Nadu. The immediate objective is to identify the children, remove them from their dangerous occupations,
provide pre-schooling and social support to prevent them from failing, monitor their progress in the short and
long term, and bolster the institutional capacity to combat child labour at national, district and local level.
For a more detailed press release on this initiative,
click here.
ILO Governing Body
The Governing Body, the ILO's executive, will meet from 11 to 26 March in Geneva. In addition to an in-depth
examination of the report of the Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalisation, the agenda of the meeting
will include job creation programmes and policies geared towards the Extraordinary Summit on Employment in Africa
in September 2004 and the preparation of the debate on youth employment planned for June 2005. Also featured on the
agenda will be the question of the application of the Forced Labour Convention (No. 29) by the government of Myanmar,
and the examination of the report of the Committee on Freedom of Association, which will deal in particular with China,
Colombia and Chile.
The agenda of the Governing Body and some of the documents that will be presented at that time can be consulted by
clicking here.
International Women’s Day
Equality for men and women is a core issue in the ILO's remit. International Women’s Day on 8 March will provide
an opportunity for placing this issue at the heart of the international debate.
Among a whole series of initiatives, the ILO will publish on that day an update of its report "Breaking through
the Glass Ceiling" (a summary of which can be consulted by
clicking here).
The expression 'glass ceiling' refers to the countless prejudices endemic in behaviour patterns and structures that deny
women the opportunity to access top management positions. The ILO will also present an annex to its report entitled
"World Employment Trends 2004" that will take stock of the unfavourable employment-related situation of women throughout
the world.
On the same day of 8 March, the ILO will organise its first international film festival entitled "Women's Work".
Films from every corner of the globe showing the struggles and victories of women will be screened from 8 to 10 March
in a Geneva cinema free of charge. Furthermore, a discussion on "Women and Justice" will be held at ILO headquarters on
8 March and attended by Shirin Ebadi, the Iranian lawyer and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003, and Carla del Ponte,
Chief Prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.
Recent Publications
Among the ILO's recent publications, the following may be of particular interest to our readers:
- Fundamental Rights at Work and International Labour Standards
2003, vi+133 pp., ISBN 92-2-113375-3, 20 Euros
The ILO has always considered international labour standards as one of the bases for development and peace at both the
national and international levels. Such standards concern the freedom of association, collective bargaining, the
abolition of forced and compulsory labour, equal opportunities and the treatment and protection of children and young
people. This study provides a detailed description of the pertinent conventions and their principles, and also
expounds the particular problems raised by their application. It is a source of basic information for labour
authorities, legal experts, practitioners and workers' and employers' organisations. You can order it by
clicking here.
- Minimum Income Schemes in Europe
2003, ix+291pp., ISBN 92-2-114839-4, 25 Euros
This study examines the recent trends and developments in guaranteed minimum income schemes in Western Europe.
It explains why such minimum income schemes do not in themselves suffice to eradicate poverty, shows the reasons
why countries need mechanisms to reduce income inequality, and why they opt to offer universal social coverage instead
of allowances geared more specifically to the poorest segments of the population. This document compares the programmes
implemented in different countries and analyses in greater detail their effects in Belgium, France, Portugal, Italy,
Finland, Ireland and Greece. You can order it by
clicking here.
Meetings in 2004
Click here
for a programme of ILO meetings in 2004.