News

• December 2012

  • Kazakhstan to form new social policy principles - president
    14 December 2012. The new strategy of development of Kazakhstan till 2050 will form new social policy principles, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has said.
  • Moscow Conference highlights convergence of countries’ policies and the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda. ILO-Russia Decent Work conference ends with agreement on the need for more quality jobs as a basis for economic growth
    13 December 2012. The High-Level Conference on Decent Work concluded its two-day meeting by highlighting the increased convergence of countries’ economic and social policies with the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda.
  • During his visit to Moscow Mr. Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General gave an interview to Ekho Moskvy radio station
  • Tajikistan has been officially admitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO)
    11 December 2012. The Tajik president’s official website reports three documents were signed at a ceremony in Geneva on December 10: the protocol on Tajikistan's admission to the international organization; the decision of the WTO General Council on approving Tajikistan’s accession; and report of the Working Party on Tajikistan’s accession.
  • Secretary-General's message to International High-level Conference on Decent Work
    11 December 2012. I am pleased to send greetings to this International High-Level Conference on Decent Work.
    Employment is a critical pathway to poverty reduction and economic empowerment.
  • ILO, Russian Federation sign key agreements
    11 December 2012. The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Russian Federation have launched a new and strategic era of cooperation with the signing of three key agreements.
  • Moscow Decent Work conference opens with calls for growth and jobs. Collective international action is needed for economic recovery, says ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, at landmark ILO-Russia Decent Work conference
    11 December 2012. The two-day ILO-Russia Decent Work Conference has opened with a call for action on growth and jobs.
  • Address by Vladimir Putin on Russia assuming the G20 presidency
    1 December 2012. On December 1, 2012, Russia will assume the presidency of the G20, the informal grouping of the world’s biggest economies. We see this above all as a chance to offer our partners a positive and substantive agenda aimed at resolving the common problems of concern to all countries. We will of course also make effective use of our presidency to address our long-term national goals and strengthen Russia’s place in global economic governance.
  • Message by ILO's Director-General on World AIDS Day
    1 December 2012. This World AIDS day commemoration carries a unanimous hope that the world can bring an end to AIDS. This belief is upheld by the significant progress achieved in preventing new infections and increasing access to HIV treatment, care and support.
  • Tajikistan logs 654 new HIV cases in Jan-Sep 2012
    1 December 2012. In all, 4,500 HIV cases have been officially logged in Tajikistan since 1991, when the first HIV infection was registered in the country, the Tajik new agency Asia-Plus reported on 1 December, World AIDS Day.

• November 2012

  • Top artists, activists and sports personalities from around the world join the ILO in a global awareness-raising campaign to fight slavery
    30 November 2012. Oscar-winning actress and singer Cher is among the leading world artists who have joined forces with the ILO – the International Labour Organization – to fight modern-day slavery.
  • Role and responsibility of Kazakhstan’s trade unions to be strengthened
    28 November 2012. Kazakhstan plans to enhance the role and responsibility of trade unions, the website of the republic’s prime minister reported with reference to Labour and Social Protection Minister Serik Abdenov.
  • Law enforcers improve knowledge on HIV/AIDS related problems
    27-28 November 2012. On November 27-28 a workshop to raise awareness of law enforcement and judicial system specialists on HIV/AIDS and legal protection for people living with HIV was conducted in Dushanbe.
  • Russia’s Labour Ministry drafts law to upgrade mechanism of social benefits for unemployed
    27 November 2012. Russia’s Labour and Social Protection Ministry has been drafting amendments to the law on employment as concerns perfection of the mechanism of social benefits for unemployed persons, Deputy Minister Tatyana Blinova told an expanded meeting of the Federation Council social policy committee on November 27.
  • Kyrgyz inspectors to study international experience in occupational safety and health
    27 November 2012. Inspectors of the state inspection for environmental and technical safety under Kyrgyzstan’s government will be able to study international experience in occupational safety and health in the future.
  • Uzbekistan to create over 972,000 new work places in 2013
    26 November 2012. The Legislative Chamber of the Parliament of Uzbekistan discussed and approved the draft program for creation of work places in 2013 at the session on November 23.
  • Kazakhstan OKs National Framework of Qualifications
    24 November 2012. The Ministry of Education and Science and Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan jointly decreed the approval of the National Framework of Qualifications.
  • Bill on social service to be submitted to Russian government in January 2013
    22 November 2012. A bill on social services in Russia will be submitted to the Russian government in January 2013, Deputy Minister Of Labor and Social Protection Alexei Vovchenko said on Thursday at hearings on that bill at the Russian Public Chamber.
  • HIV epidemics in Central Asia driven by drug-use related transmission
    21 November 2012. The number of people living with HIV in Eastern Europe and Central Asia grew from 970,000 in 2001 up to 1.4 million in 2011, according to the UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic released on November 20.
  • Baku hosted the fourth conference of the Regional Alliance
    20-21 November 2012. On November 20-21 Baku hosted the fourth conference of the Regional Alliance of Labour Inspectorates of Southeast Europe, Azerbaijan and Ukraine (RALI).
  • Kazakhstan ratifies ILO Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention
    16 November 2012. On November 16 Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed a law to ratify the ILO Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981, (No.156).
  • Kazakh leader urges youth to take part in large-scale construction projects
    16 November 2012. President Nursultan Nazarbayev has called on young people to actively take part in large-scale construction projects in Kazakhstan, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported on 16 November.
  • Tajikistan’s trade unions promote Decent Work Programme
    15-16 November 2012. On November 15-16 Dushanbe hosted a conference on strengthening the role of Tajikistan’s trade unions in promoting and implementing the Decent Work Programme.
  • ILO names five countries for serious violations of freedom of association
    15 November 2012. The ILO has named Argentina, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Fiji and Peru – out of a list of 32 cases examined – as the most serious and urgent regarding freedom of association.
  • Putin suggests postponing pension bill to 2014
    14 November 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested postponing, to 2014, the coming into effect of the new pension bill.
  • Labor migrants should have a compulsory certificate on passing a state Russian language test
    14 November 2012. President Putin has signed a bill which amends a clause in a Bill on legal status of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation and a clause in the Bill on education adopted by the State Duma on October 26, 2012 and approved by the Federation Council on October 31.
  • Corporate Social Responsibility/Global Compact Conference in Baku
    12 November 2012. The United Nations Development Programme, UN Global Compact Local Network, National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers') Organizations of Azerbaijan and PwC Azerbaijan (GCLN Sustainability Partner), in cooperation with UNICEF Azerbaijan and International Labour Organization organized in Baku the Corporate Social Responsibility/Global Compact Conference on November 12.
  • Wage arrears in Kazakhstan top 7m dollars - minister
    7 November 2012. Wage arrears in Kazakhstan have reached over 1bn tenge, the Kazakh Labour and Social Protection Minister, Serik Abdenov, has said at the fourth economic forum of big business "Expert-100 Kazakhstan."
  • Combining work and family responsibilities – seminar in Vladivostok
    2 November 2012. On November 2 Vladivostok hosted a seminar to discuss gender aspects for combining work and family responsibilities. It brought together representatives of the city administration, trade unionists and employers.
  • Russia expects increase of migrant flow
    2 November 2012. Head of the Russian Federal Migration Service Constantine Romodanovsky believes that a flow of migrants is essential to compensate lack of labour resources caused by reduction of population in the country, Interfax reports.
  • Russian migration chief to test migrants
    1 November 2012. Head of the Russian Federal Migration Service Constantine Romodanovsky said that about 140,000 foreign workers will be tested for basic knowledge of the Russian language in 2012-2013, RIA Novosti reports.

• October 2012

  • Time for women to get on board. The need to have more women in the world’s still male-dominated boardrooms has gained widespread recognition but there is also strong disagreement on how to go about it
    31 October 2012. Women make up about 50 per cent of the world’s population but only a fraction become company CEOs or board members. Yet, evidence shows that having women at the top helps boost company performance.
  • Ombudsmen of Central Asia, Russia discuss legal protection for labor migrants at Dushanbe conference
    30 October 2012. Ombudsmen of Central Asian states and Russia will discuss effective ways of legal assistance for labor migrants at the two-day conference, which opened in Dushanbe on Tuesday.
  • Kazakhstan’s Labour Ministry developing amendments to legislation to enhance opportunities of persons with disabilities
    16 October 2012. Kazakhstan is developing amendments to its legislation to enhance opportunities of persons with disabilities, Labour and Social Protection Minister Serik Abdenov told a meeting of the upper house of parliament on October 16.
  • Does Russia’s labour legislation meet international standards?
    15 October 2012. On October 15 the ILO Moscow hosted a presentation of the research and practice guide “Russia’s labour legislation and international labour standards: conformity and prospects for improvement.” The guide was written by young, but rather authoritative lawyer Nikita Lyutov. He holds PhD in law and lectures at Kutafin Moscow State Law Academy.
  • Kazakhstan’s Labour Ministry urges changes into methods for calculating minimum subsistence level
    15 October 2012. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in December will submit to the government its proposals to change methods for calculating a minimum subsistence level in the republic, statistics agency chief Alikhan Smailov said on October 15.
  • Kyrgyz premier, Russian official discuss labour migration
    11 October 2012. Kyrgyz Prime Minister Jantoro Satybaldiyev and the head of the Russia's Federal Migration Service, Konstantin Romodanovskiy, discussed labour migration issues at a meeting today, the government's press service has reported.
  • Georgia’s trade unions support amendments to Labour Code
    10 October 2012. The Georgian Trade Union Confederation welcomes the initiative of the ruling coalition Georgian Dream to introduce amendments to the Labour Code.
  • HIV, TB cases on rise in Kyrgyzstan
    10 October 2012. TB cases are on rise in Kyrgyzstan, the press centre of the Ministry of Health has said.
  • Decent work – basis of human wellbeing and country’s development
    4 October 2012. On October 4 within the framework of the World Day for Decent Work marked on October 7 the city of Zheleznovodsk in southern Russia hosted the conference “Decent work – the basis of human wellbeing and country’s development.” It gathered around 200 trade union activists.
  • Youth jobs situation remains critical in major economies
    3 October 2012. The jobs situation for young people in the major economies, known as the G20, remains critical, according to the International Labour Organization.
  • Guy Ryder: Teaching is a profession under siege. The ILO Director-General calls for urgent action to make teaching an attractive career once again
    3 October 2012. The economic crisis has strongly affected working conditions and salaries for many teachers, said ILO Director-General Guy Ryder in a statement issued ahead of World Teachers Day.
  • Baku gathers trade unionists to discuss promotion of ILO Tripartite declaration of principles concerning multinational enterprises and social policy
    2-3 October 2012. On October 2-3 Baku hosted a subregional meeting of trade unions on promotion and application of the ILO Tripartite declaration of principles concerning multinational enterprises and social policy.
  • ILO evaluates its project in Tajikistan
    1 October 2012. The ILO evaluation team led by expert Wolfgang Schwegler-Rohmeis conducted the medium-term evaluation of the ILO project “From the crisis towards decent and safe jobs” in the Republic of Tajikistan.

• September 2012

  • Georgia’s trade unions receive Kyrgyz partners
    27 September 2012. The Georgian Trade Union Confederation received the delegation of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kyrgyzstan. The visit took place with the support of the International Labour Organization.
  • Kazakh leader appoints new minister of labour and social protection
    26 September 2012. Serik Abdenov has been appointed Kazakhstan's minister of labour and social protection in the new cabinet.
  • Russian government plans to set foreign worker quota at 1.75 million for 2013
    18 September 2012. The Russian Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has proposed setting the quota for foreign workers in 2013 at just over 1.7 million persons, Interfax news agency reported on 18 September.
  • Remittances from Russia to Uzbekistan keep rising
    17 September 2012. The total volume of remittances from Russia to Uzbekistan rose by 15.94 per cent and reached 1.237bn dollars in the second quarter of this year, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation reported on 15 September.
  • Moscow to host international conference on decent work in December
    5 September 2012. On December 11-12 Moscow will host a high-level international conference on decent work.
  • Youth unemployment getting worse, says ILO
    4 September 2012. Young people are going to continue to face difficulties in finding jobs, according to the International Labour Organization.
  • Putin meets with APEC member economies’ trade union leaders
    3 September 2012. On September 3 Russian President Vladimir Putin met with members of the Asia Pacific Labour Network of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions in the run-up to the APEC summit in Vladivostok to discuss economic integration and protecting people’s labour and social rights.

• August 2012

  • ILO holds seminar on trade unions’ human rights activities in Kazakhstan’s Mangistau region
    24 August 2012. On August 23-24 chairs and activists of shopfloor organizations of the Oil and Gas Workers’ Union gathered in Kazakhstan’s Mangistau region for a seminar devoted to trade unionists’ human rights activities.
  • FNPR discusses decent work standards in run-up to international conference in Moscow
    22 August 2012. On August 22 the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia at the meeting of its Executive Committee discussed the issues concerning decent work standards in the run-up to the trade unions’ campaign within the framework of the World Day for Decent Work on October 7 and to the international conference on decent work in December.
  • Internships: Head start or labour trap?
    22 August 2012. With youth unemployment rates reaching dramatic levels, internships have become increasingly common in developed countries, as has controversy over the practice.
  • The Russian Federation – making a major step forward for decent work for seafarers and quality shipowners
    21 August 2012. On 20 August 2012, Mr Mikhail Lebedev, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva representing the Government of the Russian Federation, deposited the instruments of ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) and Protection of Workers’ Claims (Employer’s Insolvency) Convention, 1992 (No. 173) with Mr Juan Somavia, Director-General of the International Labour Office.
  • Seafarers' treaty to come into effect
    20 August 2012. A global treaty to protect the rights of workers in the shipping industry is set to come into force in a year's time, according to the International Labour Organization.
  • Tajik president issues decree raising wages, pensions, scholarships
    15 August 2012. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has issued a decree increasing the minimum wage in all fields of the country's economy by a factor of 2.5 as of 1 January 2013, the privately-owned Tajik news agency Asia-Plus website reported on 15 August.
  • International Youth Day - 12 August
    12 August 2012. The world is facing a worsening youth employment crisis: young people are three times more likely to be unemployed than adults and over 75 million youth worldwide are looking for work.
  • Allow moms to breastfeed at work
    7 August 2012. World Breastfeeding Week (Aug 1-7) is celebrated in more than 170 countries to encourage the practice and improve the health of babies. Marking the occasion, the ILO highlights the importance of allowing breastfeeding at the workplace.
  • Trade unions and youth employment: global challenges and new approaches – conference in Baku
    1 August 2012. The Pan-European Regional Council of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-PERC) in cooperation with the ILO and the Azerbaijan Trade Union Confederation (AHIK) organized two-day conference “Trade unions and youth employment: global challenges and new approaches” in Baku from July 31 to August 1.

• July 2012

  • Women in EU public sector face higher risk of losing jobs
    30 July 2012. The public sector in the EU offers many highly qualified jobs and is a major source of employment for women. But increasingly, those positions are being lost to austerity policies.
  • 28 percent of Kazakhstan’s 5,000 enterprises face risks of labour conflicts
    27 July 2012. Twenty eight percent of Kazakhstan’s 5,000 enterprises face risks of labour conflicts, the republic’s Labour and Social Protection Minister, Gulshara Abdykalikova, told an online conference on BNews.kz web portal in Astana on July 27.
  • Over 500,000 new jobs were created in Uzbekistan during the first half of 2012
    27 July 2012. This figure was mentioned in a report on the results of Uzbekistan's socio-economic development in January-June 2012, which was issued by the Uzbek Ministry of Economy and the State Statistics Committee. The Uzbek National News Agency posted the text of the report on its website on 23 July.
  • Vocational training centre launched in Tashkent in partnership with KIOCA
    25 July 2012. A vocational training centre was launched in Tashkent on July 25. It was created by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of Uzbekistan in cooperation with Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
  • Cyprus ratifies Maritime Labour Convention, 2006
    20 July 2012. On 20 July the Government of Cyprus deposited with the International Labour Office the instrument of ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006). Cyprus is the 29th ILO member State and the ninth EU member State to have ratified the Convention.
  • Kyrgyzstan trade union youth school
    20 July 2012. The Federation of Trade Unions of Kyrgyzstan in cooperation with the ILO Decent Work Team and Country Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia organized a five-day youth summer school on July 16-20.
  • Putin: 13 percent of Russia’s population lives below poverty line
    17 July 2012. Speaking at the State Council meeting on July 17 Russian President Vladimir Putin said 13 percent of Russia’s population or 18 million people live below the poverty line.
  • Bishkek job fair offers 5,000 vacancies
    11-12 July 2012. On July 11-12 Kyrgyzstan’s capital of Bishkek held an annual job fair that offered over 5,000 vacancies.
  • Fight against stigma and discrimination in Belarus
    11 July 2012. On July 11 in the run up to the XIX International AIDS Conference that took place in Washington DC from July 22 to July 27 and brought together thousands of delegates, including activists, people living with HIV, experts, politicians and medics, the Ministry of Education of Belarus adopted the Methodological Recommendations on HIV Policy Implementation in Education Sector.
  • Eurozone risks losing a further 4.5 million jobs
    11 July 2012. Unemployment in the Eurozone could reach almost 22 million over the next four years, up from 17.4 million, unless policies change course in a concerted manner, the ILO says in a report entitled “Eurozone job crisis: trends and policy responses”.
  • Kazakh president for effective model of labour relations
    10 July 2012. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev believes that norms about the responsibility of those who provoke labour conflicts need to be introduced into the legislation.
  • Gallup: actual unemployment in Belarus is 40 times higher the official one
    9 July 2012. In Belarus, the actual unemployment is approximately 40 times higher than the official. The results of a Gallup’s survey point to this fact.
  • Georgia to build system of mediation in labour disputes
    6-8 July 2012. On July 6-8 Georgia’s town of Kabuleti hosted a seminar entitled Establishing a System of Mediation and Conciliation of Labour Disputes – New Opportunities for Social Dialogue in Georgia for the leadership of the Georgian Trade Union Confederation.
  • Committee hearing was held
    5 July 2012. On July 5, 2012 Committee on Democratic Institutions, NGOs and Civil Society Institutions of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis held a hearing on the implementation of commitments on labor issues, adopted by the government delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan at the 101st Session of the International Labor Conference.
  • SYIB certificates handed out to 15 business trainers in Turkmenistan
    4 July 2012. On July 4 participation certificates were handed out to the first group of business trainers who underwent training within the framework of USAID Macroeconomic Project and the ILO’s Start and Improve Your Business.
  • ILO call for action to address youth unemployment
    2 July 2012. The International Labour Organization has put out a call to action to create decent jobs for youths.
    ILO Director-General Juan Somavia says the policy package is not a one size fits all solution, but instead, a comprehensive multi-pronged strategy that concentrates on five areas.

• June 2012

  • Russia’s state labour inspection marks 130th anniversary
    29 June 2012. On June 29 a meeting devoted to the 130th anniversary of Russia’s state labour inspection took place at the Federal Labour and Employment Service.
  • Dmitry Medvedev: Employment has surged back to the pre-crisis level
    28 June 2012. “Employment has surged back to the pre-crisis level. Overall, the situation on the market has stabilised. The number of registered unemployed is about 1.2 million, which is slightly more than 1.5% of the economically active population, and the total number of jobless people is 4.4 million, or 5.8% of population if calculated according to the ILO principles".
  • Sixteen working children sent to vocational schools in Bishkek
    27 June 2012. Bishkek’s Sverdlovsk region administration together with the ILO International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour implements the project on introducing a child labour monitoring system in Kyrgyzstan.
  • ILO data to assist Azerbaijan in improving social dialogue
    21 June 2012. Azerbaijan's decent work profile prepared by the International Labour Organisation will help the country reach new achievements in labour legislation and social sphere, senior economist of the ILO Policy Integration Department Nikolai Rogovsky considers.
  • Russia's unemployment down, income up in May
    20 June 2012. Russia's unemployment rate fell to 5.4 percent in May, the lowest level in four years, the federal statistics service Rosstat said Wednesday.
  • Nearly 240 HIV-positive logged in Tajikistan in first quarter of 2012
    19 June 2012. Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, is hosting a meeting on the prevention of HIV infection among intravenous drug users in Central Asian countries.
  • HIV spread curbed in Kazakhstan thanks to preventive therapy
    19 June 2012. The spread of HIV has stabilized in Kazakhstan thanks to preventive measures, the Kazinform news agency has said.
  • Artem Asatryan was appointed Armenia’s Minister of Labour and Social Affairs
    16 June 2012. He was born in Yerevan in 1972. He graduated from Department of State Regulation of Economy, Yerevan Institute of National Economy, and the School of Management. He holds PhD in economics.
  • 101st ILO annual conference concludes with call for democracy in Myanmar
    15 June 2012. The International Labour Conference adopts new international labour standard on social protection and calls for urgent action on youth employment.
  • One year on, Uruguay is first to ratify ILO domestic work Convention
    14 June 2012. Uruguay has become the first country to ratify a convention the ILO adopted one year ago which aims at bringing tens of millions of domestic workers under the realm of labour standards.
  • ILO lifts restrictions on Myanmar
    13 June 2012. The International Labour Organization has lifted its restrictions on the full participation of Myanmar in its activities and decided to review the progress on the elimination of forced labour in the country next year.
  • World Day Against Child Labour 2012. Stepping up action against child labour
    11 June 2012. A large gap remains between the ratification of Conventions on child labour and the actions countries take to deal with the problem, the International Labour Organization said in a report marking the tenth anniversary of the annual World Day Against Child Labour.
  • Putin: ILO is one of most authoritative organizations
    8 June 2012. On June 8 Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Guy Ryder upon his election as Director-General of the International Labour Organization.
  • Social protection expands despite crisis, ILO-World Bank report says (PDF, 47 Kb)
    7 June 2012. A new ILO-World Bank report and online data tool presented at the 101st International Labour Conference shows that social protection systems expanded in many parts of the world between 2008 and 2010.
  • ILO Chief on world economy: too much focus on finance, too little on society. ILO Director-General outlines what a new era for the world economy should look like, with changing priorities that break with the dogmas of the past and respond to people’s needs
    6 June 2012. It is possible to turn the inefficient growth patterns of today’s world economy around but this requires a redefinition of priorities and the political conviction to overcome the dogmas of the past, said ILO chief Juan Somavia, in his address to the plenary session of the International Labour Conference this morning.
  • World bodies need to unite around common concerns to rebuild global governance and respond to people’s needs, says ILO Director-General
    6 June 2012. The turmoil in the global economy makes countries look inwards, precisely at a time when the world needs concerted action to get out of the crisis, ILO Director-General Juan Somavia told delegates to the International Labour Conference.
  • 21 million people are now victims of forced labour, ILO says
    1 June 2012. Almost 21 million people are victims of forced labour globally – trapped in jobs into which they were coerced or deceived and which they cannot leave, a new ILO study says.

• May 2012

  • Republic of Palau becomes 185th ILO member State
    31 May 2012. The Republic of Palau, a Pacific island nation, became the 185th member of the International Labour Organization following receipt in Geneva of a letter dated 2 May, stating, on behalf of the Government, that the Republic of Palau formally accepts the obligations of the Constitution of the ILO.
  • Eurozone: “Extreme policies could produce extreme reactions”, ILO head warns
    30 May 2012. Extreme policies to tackle the crisis in the Eurozone could produce extreme reactions, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization, Juan Somavia, told the nearly 5,000 delegates to the 101st International Labour Conference that opened in Geneva this morning.
  • Guy Ryder elected as ILO Director-General
    28 May 2012. The International Labour Organization has elected Guy Ryder as its tenth Director-General. Ryder, who is currently the ILO’s Executive Director for International Labour Standards and Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, was elected by secret ballot by the ILO’s Governing Body. He will begin his five-year term in October 2012.
  • Role of social partnership in promoting and implementing decent work principles
    24-25 May 2012. On May 24-25 the scientific and practical conference of Russia’s Central Federal District “The role of social partnership in promoting and implementing decent work principles” took place in Voronezh.
  • At the V Astana Economic Forum for the first time a special session was devoted to Decent Work and Global Trends in Employment (PDF, 71 Kb)
    24 May 2012. Employment and decent work issues are discussed for the first time in a separate session of the Astana Economic Forum, which proves importance of this topic in the current world.
  • Over 3,600 people died of AIDS in Kazakhstan so far
    24 May 2012. Over 3,600 HIV infected people have died in Kazakhstan since the moment when the registration of this disease started, has said the press service of the national centre for fighting and preventing AIDS.
  • Decent work – decent pay: workshop for trade unions in Moscow region
    22 May 2012. On May 22 the workshop entitled “Decent work – decent pay. Main approaches to decent wage formation” took place on the premises of the Scientific and Methodological Center of the Agricultural Workers’ Union of Russia in the town of Moskovsky, 25 kilometers southwest of Moscow. It was organized for first elected chairs of territorial bodies and trade union committees of shop floor organizations of the Miners and Metallurgical Workers’ Union of Russia.
  • Four million more jobless youth since 2007
    22 May 2012. The global youth unemployment rate for 2012 remains stuck at crisis peak levels and is not expected to come down until at least 2016, says the International Labour Organization in its Global Employment Trends for Youth 2012 report.
  • Maksim Topilin appointed minister of labour and social protection
    21 May 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed Maksim Topilin minister of labour and social protection. The head of state read out a decree to this effect on Monday 21 May.
  • G20 still facing a 21 million jobs shortfall, say ILO and OECD
    17 May 2012. If employment continues to grow at the current rate of 1.5 per cent, it will be impossible to close the approximately 21 million jobs gap that has accumulated across the G20 since the onset of the crisis in 2008, said the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in a joint report ahead of the G20 labour ministerial meeting in Guadalajara, Mexico.
  • Tajikistan creates website on problems of child labour
    17 May 2012. In April a website spotlighting the problems of child labour no-childlabour.tj was opened in Tajikistan.
  • Regions of Russia: HIV/AIDS prevention in workplace
    16 May 2012. On May 16 the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Kaluga, a city localed 150 kilometers southwest of Moscow, hosted a roundtable meeting on social partnership development and introduction of HIV/AIDS prevention programmes in the world of work.
  • Russia’s State Duma ratifies ILO Maritime Labour Convention
    15 May 2012. On May 15, State Duma, the lower house of Russian parliament, ratified the ILO’s Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006.
    The Convention was adopted at the 94th session of the General Conference of the International Labour Organization on February 23, 2006.
  • Global Youth Consultations
    15 May 2012. The ILO is holding events in more than 40 countries around the world throughout March and April 2012 to hear young people’s views on the alarming youth employment situation.
  • Special sessions in Brussels focus on activity of Georgia’s trade unions
    14 May 2012. In the framework of the Eastern Partnership special sessions in Brussels focused on the issue of Georgia’s trade union activity.
    The meetings brought together experts of the International Labour Organization, the EU, the European Parliament, the American Center for International Labor Solidarity and chairs of Europe’s trade unions.
  • ILO expert says creating jobs is key for new French leader
    7 May 2012. Promoting employment will be a key goal for the new French president.
    That's according to Richard Torres, author of the recent World of Work report by the International Labour Organization.
  • 11 million people to lose their jobs by the end of 2013: World of Work Report 2012
    1 May 2012. The number of people falling out of employment globally continues to increase and there are no signs the situation will improve in the near future, according to the International Labour Organization.

• April 2012

  • Modernizing OSH management system: conference in Moscow
    27 April 2012. “Since 2005 we’ve made a great step forward to switch to a new model of occupational safety and health,” Deputy Health and Social Development Minister Alexander Safonov told a research conference on modernization of Russia’s occupational safety and health legislation that was devoted to the World Day for Safety and Health at Work.
  • Astana hosts international occupational safety and health conference KIOSH 2012
    26-27 April 2012. On April 26-27 Astana hosted the 2nd Kazakhstan International Occupational Safety and Health Conference and Exhibition KIOSH 2012 that was timed to coincide with the World Day for Safety and Health at Work.
  • UNAIDS and ITUC to work together to increase access to HIV services for workers
    25 April 2012. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to eliminate stigma and discrimination, protect human rights and facilitate access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support for workers.
  • HIV and AIDS workplace prevention: sharing experiences between India and Tajikistan
    24 April 2012. First Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Tajikistan Emin Sanginov met with Director of ILO Decent Work Team for South Asia and Country Office for India Tine Staermose, launching a five-day study mission on HIV and AIDS and the world of the work for the Tajik delegation of tripartite constituents.
  • Russia to ratify ILO Paid Educational Leave Convention
    20 April 2012. A draft federal law on ratification of the ILO Paid Educational Leave Convention, 1974 (No.140) will be submitted to the government for consideration soon.
  • Kazakh agency reports HIV incidence statistics
    13 April 2012. In all 171 new carriers of HIV infection were registered in Kazakhstan in February 2012, and at the same time the figure for the same period of 2011 is 180, the Kazakh State Statistics Agency has reported.
  • Head of Migration Service of Tajikistan leaves for Geneva
    13 April 2012. Head of Migration Service of Tajikistan Safiallo Devonaev leaves for Geneva on Friday, CA-News was told by the press service of the Migration Service.
  • Russia’s State Duma ratifies ILO’s Protection of Workers’ Claims Convention
    10 April 2012. On April 10 the State Duma, the lower house of Russia’s parliament ratified ILO’s Protection of Workers’ Claims (Employer’s Insolvency) Convention, 1992 (No. 173).
  • Microinsurance coverage expanding at breathtaking pace according to ILO and the Munich Re Foundation
    10 April 2012. The number of microinsurance schemes worldwide has increased substantially over the past five years and now reaches an estimated 500 million worldwide, according to the Microinsurance Innovation Facility of the International Labour Organization and the Munich Re Foundation.
  • Russia’s leading researcher in migration dies
    7 April 2012. On April 7 one of the leading researchers of the Institute of Demography, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Elena Tyuryukanova, died suddenly.
  • Uzbekistan approves action plan on implementation of ILO conventions
    3 April 2012. Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan approved an action plan on additional measures on implementation of the Convention on Forced Labour and convention on Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention in 2012-2013, which were ratified by Uzbekistan.

• March 2012

  • Tatiana Golikova: Our decent goal is to get at least 40 percent of the lost salary
    22 March 2012. Russian Health and Social Development Minister Tatyana Golikova announced that she saw no need in raising the pension age and considered it possible to ensure a decent pension equivalent to 40 percent of the salary.
  • Zurab Chiaberashvili appointed as Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia
    20 March 2012. Zurab Chiaberashvili is a Georgian politician and diplomat. He was appointed as Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia on March 15 and was approved by the Parliament of Georgia on March 20.
  • Asylbek Toktogulov elected as new chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kyrgyzstan
    19 March 2012. On March 19 Asylbek Toktogulov was elected as new chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kyrgyzstan.
    He graduated from Kyrgyz National University, holds Ph.D. in education.
  • Working visit to Mangistau region in western Kazakhstan
    16 March 2012. On March 16 ILO Moscow Office Senior Specialist in Workers’ Activities Sergeyus Glovackas made a working visit to oil-producing Mangistau region in western Kazakhstan.
  • Tajikistan to launch website on child labour issues
    13 March 2012. A website devoted to child labour issues will appear in Tajikistan in April.
  • Azerbaijan to ratify several ILO Conventions
    12 March 2012. In 2012-2013 Azerbaijan will start the process of ratification of the ILO Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952, (No.102), according to the General Collective Agreement.
  • 8 March - International Women's Day
    8 March 2012. The theme for this year's International Women's Day - Empower Rural Women, end poverty and hunger - highlights the need to tackle gender inequalities in the rural sector.
  • Russia’s Health and Social Development Ministry and ILO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia discuss preparations for international decent work conference
    2 March 2012. Deputy Health and Social Development Minister Alexander Safonov held a working meeting with the delegation of the ILO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia led by its director Susanne Hoffmann to discuss an international high-level conference on decent work due in Moscow in December 2012.

• February 2012

  • Research conference on social partnership in Russia
    28-29 February 2012. On February 28-29 Moscow’s Academy of Labour and Social Relations hosted a research conference organized by the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia. It was devoted to the 20th anniversary of social partnership in Russia and the 10th anniversary of Russia’ Labour Code.
  • Kazakh employment rate increases in 2011
    27 February 2012. The measures being conducted within the framework of the Employment Programme - 2020 have had positive impact on the labour market in the country, the Kazakh prime minister's website, www.pm.kz, reports.
  • Over two per cent unemployment rate logged in Tajikistan
    27 February 2012. Over 73,800 unemployed citizens were on Tajikistan's employment offices' watch lists in early January, 2012, which was more by 12.3 per cent compared to the same period in 2011.
  • Official unemployment in Azerbaijan decreased by 0.24%
    22 February 2012. State Statistics Committee released data on unemployment in Azerbaijan, which is on the methodology of the International Labor Organization was in the beginning of 2012 to 5.73% of employed population.
  • First household employment survey starts in Belarus
    20 February 2012. The first sample survey to study household employment started in Belarus on February 20.
    According to the National Statistics Committee (Belstat), similar surveys are carried out all over the world to analyze the labor market and beginning from 2012 Belarus’ households will be also monitored every three months.
  • Statement by Juan Somavia Director-General, International Labour Organization On the occasion of World Day of Social Justice 20 February 2012 “A new era of social justice”
    20 February 2012. A commentator writing on recent protests observed that they had been initially driven not by any particular ideology but rather by “the most human of emotions – the quest for dignity and justice.”
    More than 90 years ago this was the message of the ILO’s founding principles: labour is not a commodity and lasting peace must be founded on justice. Today we must commit to a new era of social justice.
  • Kazakhstan introduces international standards for occupational health and safety management systems
    17 February 2012. Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection Birzhan Nurymbetov told a meeting of the human rights commission on February 17 that this year the Central Asian republic would launch an automated information system on occupational safety and health at enterprises.
  • Georgia’s State Minister for Diaspora Issues Mirza Papuna Davitaia made an official visit to Switzerland
    11 February 2012. In early February Georgia’s State Minister for Diaspora Issues Mirza Papuna Davitaia made an official visit to Switzerland, where he met with the Executive Director of the International Labour Organization, Guy Rider, and the Director-General of the International Organization for Migration, William Lacy Swing.
  • Anti-trafficking training manual for law enforcers presented in Yerevan
    10 February 2012. The OSCE Office in Yerevan presented a new training manual for law enforcers on combating human trafficking.
  • Wages in Kazakhstan grow by 22.5 per cent year on year
    10 February 2012. The average monthly wage of one worker in December 2011 was 119,144 tenge [about 805 dollars] in Kazakhstan, and increased by 22.5 per cent compared to December 2010.
  • New book on international mechanisms for protection of labour rights comes out in Moscow
    8 February 2012. On February 8 the ILO Moscow Office hosted a presentation of the book on application of international mechanisms for protection of labour and trade union rights.
  • Kazakh minister calls for reducing need for foreign workforce
    7 February 2012. The Kazakh Labour and Social Protection Ministry is planning to conclude agreements with companies with foreign participation on cutting the number of foreign workers.
  • UNESCO and ILO Moscow offices present their joint publication: Education, Support and Protection of Learners and Educators Living with HIV or Affected by Epidemic. Practical Recommendations on HIV Policy Implementation in Education Sector in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
    2 February 2012. The number of people, including children, living with HIV keeps growing in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, which is the only region where HIV prevalence remains on the rise. Thousands of adults, adolescents and children living with or affected by HIV get education or work in educational institutions across the region.

• January 2012

  • Global Employment Trends 2012. World faces a 600 million jobs challenge, warns ILO
    23 January 2012. The world faces the “urgent challenge” of creating 600 million productive jobs over the next decade in order to generate sustainable growth and maintain social cohesion, according to the annual report on global employment by the International Labour Organization.

• December 2011

  • Russia Unemployment Rate Fell, Income Rose in November
    20 December 2011. Russian unemployment shrank and incomes rose in November 2011 as the economic recovery gained steam, the Federal State Statistics Service said.
  • Kazakhstan’s parliament ratifies ILO Maternity Protection Convention
    19 December 2011. On December 19 the upper house of Kazakhstan’s parliament adopted a law to ratify the ILO Convention concerning the revision of the Maternity Protection Convention (Revised), 1952 (No. 183).
  • The ILO Recommendation concerning HIV and AIDS and the World of Work (№200) in action in Russia
    16 December 2011. On 16 December 2011 presentation“The ILO Recommendation concerning HIV and AIDS and the World of Work (№200) in action in Russia” took place on the premises of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. The event was organized by the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team and Country Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia in cooperation with the ILO tripartite constituents in the Russian Federation.
  • Kazakhstan creates 200,000 jobs as part of state programme
    15 December 2011. As part of the national programme for accelerated industrial-innovative development of Kazakhstan, 200,000 new well-paid jobs have been created in the country, President Nursultan Nazarbayev said on 15 December, speaking at a ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence, which was broadcast live by Khabar TV.
  • Law ratifying Prevention of Major Industrial Accidents Convention signed
    3 December 2011. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed Federal Law On Ratification of the Prevention of Major Industrial Accidents Convention (Convention No. 174).
  • 1 December - World AIDS Day. Message by Juan Somavia Director-General of the International Labour Office on the occasion of World AIDS Day
    1 December 2011. Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths” - the ILO joins its efforts with the UN family and all who are striving to reach the zero goal.

• November 2011

  • Baku hosted a conference on the Role of Trade Unions in the Elimination of Discrimination in the Workplace
    23 November 2011. Baku hosted a conference on the Role of Trade Unions in the Elimination of Discrimination in the Workplace. The conference concluded a series of events within the framework of joint efforts taken by the ILO and the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation this year to fight discrimination in the workplace.
  • Russia’s Health and Social Development Ministry empowered to promote occupational safety and health
    14 November 2011. Russia’s Health and Social Development Ministry was granted additional powers in promoting occupational safety and health, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin told a meeting of the government’s presidium on November 14.
  • Belarus to hold regular household employment survey in 2012
    10 November 2011. A household employment survey will become regular in Belarus beginning from 2012 and will be conducted every three months, the press officer of the National Statistics Committee (Belstat), Yelena Kondratenko, said on November 10.
  • Minimum unemployment benefit in Russia is fixed at 850 roubles and a maximum of 4,900 roubles for 2012
    9 November 2011. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin signed Resolution No. 888 of November 3, 2011, that fixes a minimum unemployment benefit at 850 roubles and a maximum of 4,900 roubles for 2012.
  • ILO to help Russia develop strategy for long-term development of pension system until 2050
    1 November 2011. On November 1, the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation hosted an international workshop “Principal tendencies of pension systems development in modern world.”
  • Russia: By 2020 retirement, social pensions to double
    1 November 2011. By 2020 age retirement and social pensions in Russia will double, Health and Social Development Minister Tatyana Golikova told the international seminar devoted to the pension systems' development guidelines in the modern world.

• October 2011

  • World of Work Report 2011. ILO says world heading for a new and deeper jobs recession, warns of more social unrest
    31 October 2011. In a grim analysis issued on the eve of the G20 leaders summit, the International Labour Organization says the global economy is on the verge of a new and deeper jobs recession that will further delay the global economic recovery and may ignite more social unrest in scores of countries.
  • Azerbaijan’s Trade Unions Confederation in talks to sign agreements with foreign trade unions
    28 October 2011. The Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan has been conducting talks to conclude agreements with trade unions of Ukraine, Turkey and Russia’s Leningrad and Astrakhan regions envisioning mutual social protection of migrant workers, the confederation’s chairman, Sattar Mehbolliyev, told the conference on the results of the migration project that the ILO has been implementing in the South Caucasian country.
  • ILO to conduct labour market survey in Azerbaijan
    27 October 2011. The International Labour Organization will conduct a survey to study Azerbaijan’s labour market in 2012, the ILO Deputy Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Alena Nesporova, said at the meeting with Azerbaijani Labour and Social Protection Minister Fizuli Alakbarov in Baku on October 27.
  • Uzbekistan plans to create nearly 1m jobs in 2012
    27 October 2011. Uzbekistan created over 815,000 jobs in January-September 2011 and plans to create nearly 1m more in 2012, the state-owned National News Agency website reported on 27 October.
  • Social protection floor key to addressing crises and social instability
    27 October 2011. A high-level panel headed by the former President of Chile, Michele Bachelet, delivered a ground-breaking report to UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, arguing that a social protection floor could boost economic growth and enhance social cohesion.
  • Azerbaijan introduces new mechanism to determine minimum wage
    26 October 2011. Within the framework of the second phase of Azerbaijan’s state programme for ensuring decent work new mechanisms and standards to determine a minimum wage will be established, Labour and Social Protection Minister Fizuli Alakbarov said in his opening remarks to the international conference entitled “The role of the state employment service in ensuring decent work: modern approaches and priorities.”
  • Agriculture and tourism have big potential for creation of new jobs in Azerbaijan
    26 October 2011. Agriculture and tourism are those sectors that have huge potential for creating new jobs in Azerbaijan, the chairman of the parliament’s social policy committee, Khady Radzhabli, told the international conference entitled “The role of the state employment service in ensuring decent work: modern approaches and priorities.”
  • Russia's unemployment rate decreases by 2% on Oct 5-19
    24 October 2011. The total number of officially registered jobless people in Russia decreased by 2.1 percent over two week from October 5 to October 19, the press service of the Russian Ministry of Health and Social Development said in the ministry's regular report on Monday.
  • Russia plans to host international summit on decent work in 2012
    19 October 2011. No society or economy could develop unless human capital was the first priority. State, business, international and political organizations must recognize that their fundamental social responsibilities were to their citizens.
  • ILO warns of a generation “scarred” by a worsening global youth employment crisis
    19 October 2011. The International Labour Organization has warned of a “scarred” generation of young workers facing a dangerous mix of high unemployment, increased inactivity and precarious work in developed countries, as well as persistently high working poverty in the developing world.
  • Observation of Right to Labour, Health, and Education for People Living with HIV in Russia discussion in the State Duma
    17 October 2011. On 17 October a round-table Observation of Right to Labour, Health, and Education for People Living with HIV was organized in the State Duma by the State Duma Committee for Labour and Social Policy, The ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team and Country Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
  • New 7th edition of the ILO’s “Key Indicators of the Labour Market (KILM)” now available
    14 October 2011. The International Labour Organization has issued the 7th edition of its flagship “Key Indicators of the Labour Market (KILM)”, covering 18 indicators on employment and decent work with the latest available data for more than 200countries, areas or territories worldwide.
  • Migrant workers employed in agricultural sector: roundtable in Astana
    13 October 2011. Kazakhstan’s Labour and Social Protection Ministry hosted a roundtable meeting focusing on working conditions of migrant workers employed in the agricultural sector.
  • Yerevan hosts second national conference on social partnership
    12 October 2011. On October 11-12 the second national conference on social partnership, with a central theme “Social Partnership and Occupational Safety and Health” took place in Yerevan at the initiative of the Republican Union of Employers of Armenia.
  • Tajik remittances from Russia top 700m dollars in second quarter of 2011
    11 October 2011. In the second quarter of 2011 alone, 742m dollars was sent through money transfer from Russia to Tajikistan, the Central Bank of Russia has announced.
  • “Youth for Trade Unions!” – forum in Almaty
    10-11 October 2011. The first international trade union youth forum that took place in Almaty on October 10-11 sought to boost social activity of young men and women.
  • Federal Chancellor of Germany and leaders from five international organizations call for coordinated policy action to restore confidence and improve growth and employment prospects
    6 October 2011. In a joint statement issued ahead of the next G20 Summit in Cannes on 3-4 November, the Federal Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, and the heads of five international agencies, including ILO Director-General Juan Somavia, have called for increased international efforts to restore confidence to the world economy and carry out the structural policies needed to move towards a path of strong, sustainable and balanced growth.
  • ILO handbook for labour inspectors on forced labour and human trafficking in the Armenian language was presented in Yerevan
    4 October 2011. The ILO handbook for labour inspectors on forced labour and human trafficking in the Armenian language was presented in Yerevan on October 4. The event was organized within the framework of the ILO project on strengthening of comprehensive anti-trafficking response in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in cooperation with Armenia’s State Labour Inspectorate.
  • Astana hosts seminar on HIV/AIDS and World of Work
    4 October 2011. Astana hosted a seminar focusing on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work within the framework of cooperation to implement the ILO Decent Work Country Programme for 2010-2012 in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

• September 2011

  • ILO Director-General announces early departure
    30 September 2011. The Director-General of the ILO, Juan Somavía, announced that he will bring forward the date of his departure from his post to the second half of 2012 due to strong personal reasons that require him to be closer to his family.
  • ILO warns of major G20 labour market decline in 2012 and serious jobs shortfall by 2015
    26 September 2011. The slow-down in the global economy could result in a massive jobs shortfall among G20 members by next year, warns the International Labour Organization, in a joint study prepared with the OECD at the request of the G20 for its labour ministerial meeting in Paris on 26-27 September.
  • Unemployment in Russia down to 6.1% over August
    22 September 2011. Unemployment in Russia fell to 6.1% over August, according to the federal statistics service.
  • Innovation economy and labour market: conference in Moscow
    15 September 2011. “The Russian Federation got out of the crisis and we expect the economic growth rates next year to be no lower than those this year,” Russian Deputy Health and Social Development Minister Maxim Topilin said in his opening remarks to the conference on Employment and Labour Market Strategies in Russia in the Context of Innovation Economy. The conference took place in Moscow on September 15 and was organized by the Russian Health and Social Development Ministry and the International Labour Organization.
  • Russian migration service chief calls for more qualified migrants
    13 September 2011. The forecast, according to which the able-bodied population could fall by 10m people in Russia by 2025, is being taken into account when developing a concept of state migration policy, the director of the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation [FMS], Konstantin Romodanovskiy, told Interfax on Tuesday [13 September].
  • XIX World Congress on Safety and Health at Work to focus on building healthier and safer workplaces
    12 September 2011. The XIX World Congress on Safety and Health at Work – the world’s largest gathering of health and safety experts – opens here today with the aim of strengthening global commitment to a culture of safety and health at work amid the ongoing challenges of global economic uncertainty.
  • Bashkortostan to develop Decent Work Programme
    12 September 2011. The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Russia’s Republic of Bashkortostan hosted a meeting of the working group to discuss a draft document for launching the Decent Work Programme in Bashkortostan for 2012-2015.

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