ILO conference to tackle global job crisis

The graphics shows unemployment in the 16-nation
eurozone rose to 9.2 percent of the workforce in April, the highest level
in this decade as the recession hit consumers and industry, according to
official EU data on June 2, 2009. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)
Photo Gallery

GENEVA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The International Labor
Organization (ILO) opened its annual conference on Wednesday with discussions
focused on ways and means to tackle the growing impact of the economic and
financial crisis on employment and social protection.

Between 3,000 and 4,000 representatives from most of
the ILO's 183 members are participating in the meeting, including more than 150
ministerial officials, said Kari Tapiola, spokesperson of this year's
conference.

The 17-day conference will feature on June 15-17 an
ILO Summit on the Global Jobs Crisis, which will be addressed by at least 10
heads of state or government, including Brazilian President Lula da Silva and
French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The agenda of the conference has been reorganized at
short notice in order to focus on the global jobs crisis, according to an ILO
statement.

Job losses have been massive in all regions, and
future forecasts predict continued job losses and high and persistent
unemployment and poverty well into 2010, the statement said.

The conference will discuss a range of measures and
policies to promote employment and enterprise development, and extend social and
other protection to persons affected.

Other issues to be discussed include HIV/AIDS, gender
equality in work places, forced labor, the situation of workers in the occupied
Palestinian territories.

The role of the annual conference is to adopt and
oversee compliance with international labor standards, establish the budget of
the organization and elect members of the ILO governing body.

Since 1919, the conference has served as a major
international forum for debate on social and labor questions of worldwide
importance.

Special Report:
Global Financial
Crisis