Social security plays critical role in times of crisis, but still eludes much of the world

16 November 2010

A new report by the International Labour Office (ILO) says that while social security measures have played a critical role in reducing the social impact of economic crises both now and in the past, basic social security coverage remains out of reach for most of the world, especially in low-income countries.

ILO to assist Nigeria on the Global Jobs Pact

02 November 2010

The International Labour Organization will assist Nigeria in the implementation of the Global Jobs Pact

World of Work Report 2010: ILO says long “labour market recession” worsens social outlook in many countries

30 September 2010

A new report by the research arm of the International Labour Organization (ILO) says a long “labour market recession” is worsening the social outlook in many countries.

Promoting job creation for young people in multinational enterprises

01 September 2010

Liberia’s 14 year war left gaping holes in the infrastructure critical to investment and recovery and delayed a generation of youth from entering the labour market. Today, almost two-thirds of the population live in poverty. Youth between ages of 15 and 35 make up 53 per cent of the workforce, yet constitute 58 per cent of the unemployed. The integration of young people into the labour market is critical for overall economic development and in securing stability in a post-conflict country like Liberia. ILO Online asked Yukiko Arai, senior specialist in the ILO’s Multinational Enterprises Programme, how multinational enterprises (MNEs) can contribute to the generation of more quality jobs for local youth.

ILO Technical Assistance Package for Zimbabwe Launch

27 August 2010

On Friday 27th August, 2010, the Government of Zimbabwe, ZCTU, EMCOZ and the ILO jointly launched a technical assistance package to the country. The technical assistance is in follow-up to the Commission of Inquiry on the application of the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98) that visited Zimbabwe last year.

ILO and IMF Conference in Oslo to address ways of accelerating a job-rich crisis recovery

18 August 2010

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced a joint conference to be hosted by the Prime Minister of Norway, Jens Stoltenberg, on 13 September 2010, in Oslo, to explore new ways of forging a sustainable, job-rich recovery from the global economic crisis.

World economic crisis has spurred a record increase in youth unemployment says ILO

11 August 2010

Global youth unemployment has reached its highest level on record, and is expected to increase through 2010, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said in a new report issued to coincide with the launch of the UN International Youth Year on 12 August.

ILO launches implementation phase of new international labour standard at XVIII International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2010)

22 July 2010

The ILO held a series of events under the theme “Preventing HIV, Protecting human rights at work” at the AIDS 2010 Conference to mark the launch of a new labour standard adopted by ILO government, employer and worker representatives in June. With its constituents, the ILO focused on developing strong partnerships with the international community of donors, stakeholders implementing HIV policies and programmes and people living with HIV to reduce stigma and discrimination for all workers living with HIV or believed to be HIV positive, to give a new impetus to prevention efforts.

A decent income is the first step towards real freedom

20 July 2010

In his speech in December 2009 during World AIDS Day in December 2009 President Zuma demonstrated a renewed quest to deal with HIV and AIDS challenges in the country.

ILO Director-General urges G20 to stay focussed on reducing the global jobs deficit

28 June 2010

International Labour Organization Director-General Juan Somavia today welcomed the G20 Leaders’ statement from Toronto in which they gave the “highest priority to safeguard and strengthen the recovery and to the next steps they should take to ensure a full return to growth with quality jobs”.

ILO conference adopts unprecedented new international labour standard on HIV and AIDS

17 June 2010

Governments, employers and workers meeting at the annual conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO) today adopted a new international labour standard on HIV and AIDS - the first international human rights instrument to focus specifically on the issue in the world of work.

"Real economy" leaders discuss policy responses to global economic and jobs crisis

Leaders from the real economy, meeting at the International Labour Organization's annual conference, held a high-level debate on ways out of the global economic and jobs crisis and called for an urgent, balanced policy approach that would combine economic recovery with jobs growth.

ILO warns of new threats to global economic and jobs recovery from debt crisis and financial instability

01 June 2010

Growing instability in financial markets and the sovereign debt crisis in Europe may put global economic and jobs recovery efforts at risk, according to a report by International Labour Office Director-General Juan Somavia to be discussed at the ILO’s annual conference.

Norwegian Support to Women Entrepreneurship in Mozambique

12 April 2010

From 22nd to 26th March, representatives from Mozambican Women Entrepreneurs’ Associations gathered in Maputo for a comprehensive training session in association management.

National Workshop on Mainstreaming Employment and Decent Work into the national development plan and strategies

30 March 2010

The workshop was held at Rainbow Towers, Harare, Zimbabwe and it covered 1.The essence of the Decent Work Agenda and the Toolkit for mainstreaming employment and decent work 2.The Global Jobs Pact and 3.Confronting the employment challenges in Zimbabwe.

More women choosing to work, but gender equality remains a long way off

05 March 2010

Despite signs of progress in gender equality over the past 15 years, there is still a significant gap between women and men in terms of job opportunities and quality of employment, according to a new report by the International Labour Office.

High Level Publicity Launch Of The Kadoma Declaration – “Towards A Shared National Social And Economic Vision”

26 February 2010

The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency R.G. Mugabe, has officially launched the beginning of a publicity campaign for the Kadoma Declaration – “Towards a Shared National Social and Economic Vision” (the Declaration) on Friday 26 February, 2010.

Regional Director's Visit to Harare

10 February 2010

Mr Charles Dan, Regional Director for Africa and Mr. Michel Gozo, Special Advisor to the Regional Director recently passed through the Harare Office on the 10th of February 2010 on their way to the ARLAC Governing Council meeting in Kariba, Zimbabwe.

Twelve project proposals selected by Coop Africa Challenge Fund

10 February 2010

Among 192 projects received by the Selection Committee, twelve proposals have been selected during the fourth call for funding by the Challenge Fund in 2010. Coop Africa will provide funding worth USD 635,000.

ILO says economic crisis eroding real wages for second year running

03 November 2009

Global growth in real wages slowed dramatically in 2008 as a result of the economic crisis and is expected to drop even further this year despite signs of a possible economic recovery, the International Labour Organization said. “The continued deterioration of real wages worldwide raises serious questions about the true extent of an economic recovery, especially if government rescue packages are phased out too early. Wage deflation deprives national economies of much needed demand and seriously affects confidence”, said Manuela Tomei, Director, ILO Conditions of Work and Employment Programme and lead author of the study.