99th International Labour Conference

The 99th International Labour Conference (ILC), the annual gathering of the ILO's global membership, opened in Geneva on June 2. Items on the agenda include the global financial and jobs crisis, the Global Jobs Pact, a new labour standard on HIV/AIDS, the treatment of domestic workers, and the situation in Myanmar.

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The 99th International Labour Conference (ILC), the annual gathering of the ILO's global membership, took place in Geneva from June 2-18. More than 5,000 delegates attended the conference which discussed a wide range of issues, including the global financial and jobs crisis and the Global Jobs Pact. In addition delegates approved a new labour standard on HIV/AIDS, and adopted a report calling for a new Convention and Recommendation covering the conditions and rights of the millions of Domestic Workers worldwide. After further consultations and revisions, the proposed new standards will be put to the 2011 ILC. The Committee on the Application of Stardards report reviewed the observance of labour standards in a number of Asia Pacific countries: Cambodia, India, Islamic Republic of Iran, Myanmar and Thailand. In addition the Committee once again held a special sitting on the situation in Myanmar and the observance of the Forced Labour Convention.

A number of side events took place during the conference. Sessions were held to highlight responses to the economic and jobs crisis in China and Singapore. There was also a presentation to highlight crisis response in the Pacific and the Port Villa Statement on Decent Work.

The Governments of Timor Leste and Brazil also signed a Cooperation Agreement that will bring more than US$520,000-worth of assistance to Timor Leste.