ILO Branch Office Brussels (Belgium)

ILO - BRUSSELS

NEWSLETTER N°. 2/2007

Update on international framework agreements

Over 4.2 million workers are currently protected by international framework agreements signed by their companies and global union federations. These agreements aim to establish an ongoing relationship between the parties and ensure that companies respect the same standards in all the countries where they operate. Sectoral trade unions from the home country of the multinational also participate in the negotiation of the agreement. Although the first agreement was signed by the French food multinational Danone in 1988, the second was not signed until 1995 by the ACCOR hotel chain. The number of agreements then increased from 2000, reaching a total of 50 by the end of 2006. Click here to read an interview with Dominique Michel, Team Leader of the ILO's Multinational Enterprises Programme, or here for a list of existing framework agreements.

ILO and WTO publish joint study on trade and employment

The ILO and WTO have recently published a study into an issue that is of interest for both organisations: the relations between trade and employment. On the basis of an overview of economic research, the study provides an impartial view of what can be said on the relationship between trade and employment, an often contentious issue of public debate. Its focus is on the connections between trade policies and labour and social policies. Written in an accessible style, it will be of interest to all those who are involved in this debate: policy makers, employees and employers, as well as trade and labour market experts, economists and other researchers. The study is available here.

Changing labour needs in the electronics sector

A Tripartite Meeting on the Production of Electronic Components for the IT Industries will take place in Geneva on 16-18 April 2007. One of the key issues to be addressed during the meeting will be the shift in production between industrialised, developing and emerging economies. It will also reflect on new labour requirements, the breakdown in terms of gender and age, working conditions, industrial relations and manufacturing in industrial zones. An ILO report, which will be used as the basis for discussion, is available here. In addition to adopting a report on the discussions, participants will also approve the conclusions containing proposed action for governments, employers' organisations and workers' organisations at national level as well as proposed action to be taken by the ILO.

Brunei Darussalam becomes 180th Member State of the ILO

Brunei Darussalam in south east Asia has become the 180th Member State of the ILO following receipt in Geneva of a letter from the country's Minister of Home Affairs, stating on behalf of the Government that Brunei formally accepts the obligations of the ILO Constitution. Brunei Darussalam's membership became effective on 17 January 2007. The country has been a member of the United Nations since it gained independence in 1984. It has 374,000 inhabitants.

New analysis of human trafficking connected with sexual exploitation

The ILO has carried out an econometric analysis of determining factors for human trafficking connected with sexual exploitation. The results confirm several theories, such as the statistical connection between the number of victims trafficked from a country and unemployment figures for women in that country. They also back the hypothesis that the countries that are the most open to globalisation have the highest levels of prostitution and are the most likely to be the destination country for victims. These theories are not new, but this report provides substantive evidence from an empirical perspective. Click here to read the report.

Did you know?

The ILO website contains international hazard sheets by occupation that provide a systematic and detailed overview of risks for various occupations. These sheets are designed for anyone working on health and safety matters. 18 sheets are currently available in French ( click here) and 52 in English ( click here). This project to draw up international hazard sheets by occupation is being carried out in cooperation with the European Union and National ILO/CIS Occupational Safety and Health Information Centres across the world. (Click here to access the CIS website).

New publications

The following recent ILO publications may be of special interest to our readers:

Manual for drafting ILO instruments
2006; xii+136 pp.; ISBN 978-92-2-118615-0; €23

This manual is a useful comprehensive reference guide for drafting international labour standards. It explains the drafting practices of the ILO in its standard-setting activities and sets out non-binding observations and recommendations. It covers both the main formal components and the substantive content of ILO instruments. Click here to order a copy.

Making Microfinance Work. Managing for Improved Performance
By Craig Churchill and Cheryl Frankiewicz
2006; xiv+420 pp.; ISBN 92-2-118657-1; €35

Microfinance has long been recognized as having significant potential to create jobs and reduce poverty. Growth and sustainability are essential in an increasingly competitive environment. This training manual provides a valuable overview of the key management principles necessary to optimize the services of micro-finance institutions and brings together useful lessons from numerous micro-finance institutions worldwide. Case studies also assist managers in applying the concepts outlined in the text. Click here to order the full micro-finance guide.

Flexicurity. A relevant approach in Central and Eastern Europe
By Sandrine Cazes and Alena Nesporova
2007; xiv+262 pp.; ISBN 978-92-2-119215-2; 25 Euros

This study is a valuable contribution to the debate surrounding the role of flexibility and security on the labour market. The search for a better combination of flexibility and security has been a major challenge within the European Union and it is often seen as indispensable for improving competitiveness and at the same time maintaining the European social model. It argues that the flexicurity approach is the most relevant for Central and Eastern European countries and suggests appropriate reforms of economic, social and labour market policies in this region. The volume examines how Croatia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Lithuania and Poland have attempted to balance labour market flexibility and security since the late 1990s. It also discusses wage flexibility. Click here to order a copy.

Scheduled meetings

Please click here for a list of scheduled ILO meetings in 2007.

Contact us

For more information on the ILO's activities, please contact the :

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E-mail: brussels@ilo.org
Website : www.ilo.org/brussels

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