News
December 2020
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Video
How labour law applies to small enterprises
11 December 2020
Self-employed and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises account for two thirds of jobs worldwide. To ensure that all workers are equally protected, governments are implementing policies that extend the application, compliance, and enforcement of labour law to all enterprises regardless of their size, including those the informal economy and in self-employment.
November 2020
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© ILO 2022
COVID-19: Supporting enterprises, jobs and incomes
Cash flow the biggest problem facing business during COVID-19 crisis
27 November 2020
Micro and small enterprises worst affected by COVID-19 pandemic, says a survey of 4,500 enterprises in 45 countries.
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COVID-19: Protecting workers in the workplace
How Sustainable Enterprises can be part of the Post COVID-19 Response
19 November 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound and devastating impact on micro, small, and medium enterprises. To re-build economies that are more resilient and create productive, decent employment, policymakers will have to put in place reforms that are especially conducive for MSMEs.
July 2020
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International Day of Cooperatives
The role of Cooperatives and SSE in the COVID-19 response
03 July 2020
Cooperatives and other social and solidarity economy (SSE) enterprises around the world are being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In responding to this crisis, they have provided essential assistance to their members, adapted their services, connecting people in need of support with local governments and social partners.
June 2020
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COVID-19: Supporting employment and incomes
Message from ILO's Director-General Guy Ryder for International MSME Day 2020
26 June 2020
The 2020 International Day of Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) was celebrated on Saturday 27 June. This year, the theme was "COVID-19: The Great Lockdown and its impact on Small Business" which is closely linked to SDG8. On this occasion ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, issued a short video message.
May 2020
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Blog
Small matters more now than ever before
21 May 2020
COVID-19 has ravaged countless small businesses across the world that are key providers of jobs and livelihoods. What needs to be done to ensure they survive?
October 2019
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© ILO 2022
Employment creation
Small businesses and self-employed provide most jobs worldwide, new ILO report says
10 October 2019
A ground-breaking study reveals that seven in 10 workers are self-employed or in small businesses, a finding that has significant implications for employment and enterprise support policies world-wide.
June 2015
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104th International Labour Conference
ILO and EU-Presidency join forces to improve working conditions in small enterprises
10 June 2015
Informal meeting of Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs alongside the 104th International Labour Conference agree on renewed efforts to improve working conditions in small and micro enterprises.
July 2007
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Article
Timor-Leste: Setting the STAGE for a brighter future
13 July 2007
Despite a significant boost in national income last year from oil revenues, Timor-Leste is amongst the world’s poorest nations. While unemployment in rural areas is at least 20 per cent, it reaches 43 per cent among urban youth. ILO Online reports from Timor-Leste where the ILO’s STAGE programme supports an enabling business environment that will be critical in the years ahead to create decent and gainful employment and reduce income poverty.
June 2006
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Article
95th session of the International Labour Conference, 2006
Breaking out of informality: Amina, the Queen of Oranges02 June 2006
With between a half and two-thirds of the world's working women and men outside the formal economy, breaking out of informality is the single biggest challenge for labour market governance worldwide.