GENEVA - ILO News - In preparation for the G20 Employment and Labour Ministers meeting to be held in Washington D.C. on 20-21 April at the U.S. Department of Labor, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has produced a series of background reports on the evolving employment situation in the context of the global financial crisis, including:

a statistical overview,

a package of country briefs with statistical updates,

a review of employment and social protection policies

all available online at: www.ilo.org/jobcrisis

The ILO has reviewed a range of policy measures taken in response to the crisis and analyzed labour market developments in G20 countries (which account for 85 per cent of the global economy and more than two thirds of the world population).

ILO Director-General Juan Somavia will present the result of this survey to the G20 Employment and Labour Ministers in a new report, entitled "Accelerating a job-rich recovery in G20 countries: Building on experience". The report provides an assessment of the impact of the policy measures taken to date across G20 countries and identifies the policy challenges for a sustained jobs recovery.

While countries are balancing pressures for cutting budget deficits with the need not to withdraw the fiscal stimulus measures too early, they continue to adapt and introduce measures to sustain employment, generate new activities and protect workers and households. Taking into account specific country contexts, the report also draws some emerging lessons on how to stimulate labour demand, extend social protection and promote employment and skills.

For more information, please visit www.ilo.org or contact the Department of Communication and Public Information of the ILO at communication@ilo.org - +4122/799-7912, or the ILO Office for the United Nations newyork@ilo.org - +1212/697-01-50.