Videos

  1. 75 years of seafarers’ minimum wage setting

    26 April 2021

    It’s 75 years since the first minimum monthly wage for seafarers was set – the only sector with an international minimum wage. The figure is regularly updated by the ILO’s Joint Maritime Commission (JMC), established in 1920, and composed of representatives of Shipowners and Seafarers. The JMC meets 26-27 April to discuss an update to the current amount.

  2. Minimum wages are key for a human-centred recovery from COVID-19

    02 December 2020

    The new ILO Global Wage Report 2020-2021 examines the evolution of real wages around the world, giving a unique picture of wage trends globally and by region. It shows that adequate minimum wages are key for a human-centred recovery from COVID-19 and beyond.

  3. Qatar introduces historic reforms to its labour market

    03 September 2020

    In a historic move, the State of Qatar has introduced major changes to its labour market, opening up a new era for workers and employers in Qatar.

  4. Report in short

    26 November 2018

    ILO expert Xu Ding presents the main findings of the ILO Global Wage Report 2018/19.

  5. Global Wage Report 2016/17 in short

    15 December 2016

    ILO economist Rosalia Vazquez-Alvarez leads us through the report’s main findings looking at global wage trends, policy recommendations and new research on wage inequalities within enterprises.

  6. Malaysia first ASEAN country to ratify ILO Minimum Wage Convention No.131

    14 June 2016

    Richard Riot, Minister of Human Resources in Malaysia, expresses his country's pride at having ratified the ILO's Minimum Wage Fixing Convention No. 131.

  7. Paul Wolfson on minimum wages

    09 July 2015

    Paul Wolfson from the Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College, USA examines the impact of minimum wages on employment and inequality.

  8. Gerhard Bosch on employment relationships, social protection, and minimum wages

    09 July 2015

    Gerhard Bosch, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Institute for Work and Skills at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, discusses the complex linkages between more flexible employment relationships, social protection, minimum wage setting and collective bargaining.

  9. Global wage growth down since the financial crisis with no sign of recovery - alerts the ILO

    05 December 2014

    Wage growth around the world slowed in 2013 to 2.0 per cent and has yet to catch up to the pre-crisis rates of about 3.0 per cent, according to the ILO's Global Wage Report 2014/2015. A modest wage growth was driven by some emerging economies where wages increased by 6.7 per cent in 2012 and 5.9 per cent in 2013. "By contrast, in developed economies wages are stagnated, leading to decreasing living standards and an increase of inequality, closely linked to wage inequality" said Sandra Polaski, the ILO’s Deputy Director-General for Policy.

  10. Global Wage Report in short: Patrick Belser

    05 December 2014

    The ILO Global Wage Report 2014 warns of stalled wages in many countries and points to the labour market as a driver of inequality. Senior ILO Economist, Patrick Belser explains. (Closed captions available)

  11. Uruguay takes the lead to protect domestic workers

    24 July 2012

    Providing protection for the world's millions of domestic workers has taken a major step forward. In April 2012, Uruguay became the first country to ratify ILO Convention 189, the landmark treaty guaranteeing domestic workers get the same core labour protections as other workers. Uruguay has long been a leader in protecting the rights of domestic workers, but ratifying the convention demanded a unique approach; a group of Uruguayan housewives were called on to represent the employers of domestic workers at the bargaining table.

  12. Interview with H.E. Dr Ahmed El-Borai, Minister of Manpower and Migration of Egypt

    22 March 2011

    ILO TV interviewed H.E. Dr Ahmed El-Borai, Minister of Manpower and Migration of Egypt about the recent declaration guaranteeing the rights of all Egyptian trade unions to be registered and freely pursue their legitimate activities. He expressed his interest in looking at how social protection measures, skills training and the development of a minimum wage could help tackle unemployment and fight poverty in Egypt. (in French)

  13. Germany: Keeping Their Wages Through Kurzarbeit

    15 December 2010

    The global economic crisis has cut wage growth worldwide in half. That’s one conclusion of the ILO’s Global Wage Report. When people have less to spend, businesses suffer, and they in turn have to look at ways to cut costs, wages, and even jobs. But in Germany’s tightly run manufacturing sector, employees and employers worked together with the government to protect jobs and maintain wage levels during the darkest days of the crisis.

  14. Global Wage Report 2010/2011: An Interview with the ILO's Manuela Tomei

    15 December 2010

    With the launch of the ILO's Global Wage Report 2010/2011, ILO TV interviews Manuela Tomei, Director of the ILO Conditions of Work and Employment Programme (TRAVAIL). Based on an analysis of wages in 115 countries, the report says the financial and economic crisis cut global wage growth by half in 2008 and 2009. The increasing discrepancy between low-wage and high-wage earners has had a deleterious effect on consumption worldwide. The interview highlights how several national recovery schemes and measures have worked to buffer wage stagnation and avoid lay offs, thus hastening a sustainable economic recovery.

  15. Wage Growth Continues to Decline: An Interview with Patrick Belser

    05 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. ILO TV interviews Patrick Belser, co-author of the 2009 update to the Global Wages Report.

  16. ILO forecasts further decline in wage growth and cuts in real wages for 2009

    25 November 2008

    The global economic crisis is expected to lead to painful cuts in the wages of millions of workers worldwide in the coming year, according to a new report published today by the International Labour Office (ILO). ILO TV interviews Manuela Tomei, Chief of the ILO Conditions of Work and Employment Programme, to discuss the report's findings.