GENEVA, 30 September 2011 (ACTRAV INFO)-One of the most important trends in recent decades is the rise of precarious employment. Direct consequences of the financial crisis, the austerity measures adopted by several countries, have reinforced this precarity for workers. Everywhere, a growing number of workers suffer from precarious working conditions which are uncertain and unpredictable and lack security.

In this context, the ILO’s Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV) is organizing an international symposium on Policies and Regulations to combat Precarious Employment to take place from 4 to 7 October 2011.

Several figures of trade union movement, including the General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) - Ms. Sharan Burrow; and the Worker Vice-Chairperson of the ILO’s Governing Body – Mr. Luc Cortebeck will take part in the symposium which will focus on six goals:


To analyze the economic drivers that have perpetuated precarious work;
To identify the legislative gaps and weaknesses that allow precarious work;
To clarify the relationship between trade union rights and precarious work;
To exchange strategies and approaches to combating precarious work;
To identify key areas of intervention, in practice, law and policy to combat precarious work, both nationally and internationally; and
To develop a common agenda to combat precarious work.

This international symposium will provide a platform for trade union leaders and experts from 50 countries to attempt to collaboratively create a pathway to a world where decent work is no longer a goal, but a reality.

During the symposium, a rally for trade union rights and decent work, in collaboration with the Swiss trade unions, will take place on Friday 7 October at 9:30 am in front of the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

For more information, see ACTRAV Symposium on Precarious Work (4-7 October, 2011)