January 2005

1. Article

   Global Campaign for Social Security hits its stride

   24 January 2005

   The recent launch of a national campaign to provide Kenya's population with social security was the latest in a series of events designed to expand the ILO's Global Campaign on Social Security and Coverage for All. With half its population living below the poverty line and less than 15 per cent of the total labour force covered by social security systems, Kenya has adopted the campaign as a framework for extending national pension and health coverage to more of its citizens. This year, the ILO intends to expand the programme to include more countries. Guebray Berhane of ILO Addis Ababa reports.

2. Article

   Ida's Story: the plight of domestic migrant workers

   24 January 2005

3. Press release

   ILO Tsunami Response ILO calls for integrated employment strategy for tsunami reconstruction Says estimated 1 million people lost livelihood

   19 January 2005

   The International Labour Office (ILO) today urged that "employment-intensive" job creation strategies be integrated into the humanitarian and reconstruction response to the earthquake and Tsunami disaster in Asia that destroyed the livelihoods of an estimated 1 million persons in Indonesia and Sri Lanka alone.

4. Press release

   ILO tripartite meeting to discuss automotive industry trends

   07 January 2005

   Auto parts suppliers are playing an increasingly important role in the automotive industry, according to a new report by the International Labour Office (ILO). Their current share of up to two-thirds of the value added of a car is expected to reach 75 per cent among some manufacturers, the report says.

5. Article

   New UN decision makes fair globalization a core issue of the world agenda in 2005

   06 January 2005

   Achieving a fair globalization is now firmly implanted on the world agenda. With the adoption of a resolution at its most recent session, the UN General Assembly gave new impetus to global efforts to implement the recommendations of the report of the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization. In this feature, we examine how this move provides new reasons for hope that globalization can work much better in coming years to help reduce poverty for families, local communities and people around the world.

6. Article

   Efforts mount in Japan to counter human trafficking

   05 January 2005

   Human trafficking is a growing problem in Japan and new efforts for stronger measures to combat modern forms of forced labour are gaining momentum. This report examines the phenomenon and what Japan and its ILO partners are doing about it.

7. Press release

   ILO Tsunami Response Statement by the ILO Director-General on the response to the earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean Area

   04 January 2005

   The International Labour Office (ILO) today released the following statement by Director-General Juan Somavia regarding the role of the ILO in the response to the earthquake and tidal wave in the Indian Ocean Area:

December 2004

1. Press release

   ILO welcomes the State of Microcredit Summit Campaign report 2004 "Microloans making a macro difference"

   16 December 2004

   The Director-General of the International Labour Office (ILO) has welcomed the publication of a new report by the Microcredit Summit Campaign 2004, saying the success of microfinance is crucial to job creation and poverty reduction worldwide.

2. News

   International Employment Conference on Iraq adopts Plan and Declaration on combatting massive unemployment

   14 December 2004

   An International Conference on Employment in Iraq adopted a Declaration here today underlining the crucial role of employment in the reconstruction and development of Iraq where some 30 per cent of the adult workforce and 50 per cent of youth are unemployed.

3. Press release

   ILO launches electronic library collection of over 1,000 publications

   10 December 2004

   The International Labour Office today announced the availability of a new electronic library that will simplify access to essential ILO publications on globalization, HIV/AIDS, fighting poverty and other issues concerning the world of work.