ILO expresses deep concern over economic crisis, moves to forge policy responses based on decent work
21 Nov 2008
Amid growing concern over the impact of economic turmoil on workers, employers and governments, the Governing Body of the International Labour Office (ILO) today took the first steps toward forging employment and social policy responses through social dialogue aimed at meeting the challenges of the deepening global economic crisis.
The move came as the ILO’s tripartite membership, and its Decent Work Agenda, drew strong support from José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, President of the Government of Spain, Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development Secretary-General Angel Gurría.
“The central conclusion is that the Decent Work Agenda is an appropriate policy framework to confront the crisis”, said ILO Director-General Juan Somavia. “There is a powerful message that tripartite dialogue with employers and workers organizations should play a central role in addressing the economic crisis, and developing policy responses.”
The ILO met amid new reports that the global economic crisis was deepening with strong indications that economic growth in all regions will be substantially lower in the remainder of 2008 and much lower in 2009. ILO data indicate that unemployment could increase worldwide by some 20 million, while the number of working poor living on less than $2 per day was also expected to rise.
“This calls for urgent action”, said the Chair and Employer and Worker Vice-Chairs of the ILO Governing Body in a special statement issued on the financial and economic crisis. “We need comprehensive and coordinated measures to minimize the duration and the depth of the downturn in the global economy as well as to combat possible negative social consequences and accelerate recovery.”
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Source: ILO
“The central conclusion is that the Decent Work Agenda is an appropriate policy framework to confront the crisis”, said ILO Director-General Juan Somavia. “There is a powerful message that tripartite dialogue with employers and workers organizations should play a central role in addressing the economic crisis, and developing policy responses.”
The ILO met amid new reports that the global economic crisis was deepening with strong indications that economic growth in all regions will be substantially lower in the remainder of 2008 and much lower in 2009. ILO data indicate that unemployment could increase worldwide by some 20 million, while the number of working poor living on less than $2 per day was also expected to rise.
“This calls for urgent action”, said the Chair and Employer and Worker Vice-Chairs of the ILO Governing Body in a special statement issued on the financial and economic crisis. “We need comprehensive and coordinated measures to minimize the duration and the depth of the downturn in the global economy as well as to combat possible negative social consequences and accelerate recovery.”
Read More...
Source: ILO
