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Governing Body

Decent work at the heart of a new global order in response to the financial crisis says French President to the ILO

French President Nicolas Sarkozy urged the International Labour Organization to make its voice heard to promote Decent Work at the heart of the rules that will lay the foundations for the building of a new global order in response to the global financial crisis.

Press release | 20 November 2008

GENEVA (ILO News) – French President Nicolas Sarkozy urged the International Labour Organization (ILO) to make its voice heard to promote Decent Work at the heart of the rules that will lay the foundations for the building of a new global order in response to the global financial crisis.

Mr. Sarkozy, who has just returned from the G-20 meeting in Washington where discussions on the reform of the financial system started, said: "The promotion of Decent Work is a full component of any regulations that need to be set up. Decent Work has to be at the heart of the reflection that we should pursue and of any decisions that we have to take in the coming months."

"I urge the International Labour Organization to make its voice heard in the international debate initiated on the definition of a new global governance, and to make concrete proposals so that the promotion of Decent Work would be at the heart of the rules that will tomorrow lay the foundations for the building of a new global order" the French president said in a message read out to the ILO Governing Body by French delegate Gilles de Robien.

In his statement, M. Sarkozy underlined the important role ILO has been playing in enhancing the social dimension of globalization. "The ILO has long acted so that economic progress linked to international trade does not prejudice workers, and at the same time, so that the reinforcement of social rights improve economic performance" he said.

The President reiterated France's conviction that "economic and social progress go hand in hand. These objectives mutually reinforce each other."

ILO Director-General Juan Somavia welcomed the statement, saying it indicated support for the involvement of the ILO in international responses to the crisis, adding ”it gives us great strength to go forward."