Elimination of All Forms of Forced or Compulsory Labor

A compilation of reports submitted by various countries to the ILO by the year 2000, describing labor conditions and relevant laws, specifically relating to forced or compulsory labor

A Global Alliance Against Forced Labour: Report I (B)

Explains how the concept of forced labor is defined in international law and discusses some parameters for identifying contemporary forced labor situations in practice. Provides the first minimum global estimate of the numbers of people in forced labor by an international organization, broken down by geographical region and by form of forced labor. Gives a global picture of contemporary patterns of forced labor, and of action to eradicate it. Reviews the ILO’s assistance to member States for the eradication of forced labor, in view of the creation of a Special Action Programme to Combat Forced Labour. Lastly, it makes recommendations for future action

Global Employment Trends for Youth: October 2008

[Excerpt] An intensified focus on youth at the international level in recent years has brought a greater understanding of youth labour markets and led to development of a growing number of national action plans for youth employment as well as other more specific youth-related policies and programmes at the national level. But has the increased global awareness of the vulnerabilities of youth brought about any quantifiable changes in their labour market situation? Are more young people attaining their desired job? The ILO\u27s third edition of the Global Employment Trends for Youth (October 2008) examines the most recent labour market indicators and finds that young people still suffer disproportionately from a deficit of decent work opportunities. However, progress has been seen in some regions. The report, which updates the world and regional youth labour market indicators presented in previous reports (2004 and 2006), is organized according to nine regional analyses

Promoting fair globalization in textiles and clothing in a post-MFA environment

The working paper reports on the current trade conditions in the textile clothing industry in the post Multifibre Agreement era. Additionally, the paper advocates for a fairer globalization, promoting better work conditions, labor wages and general social equality in producer countries

Child Labour in Latin America

Fact sheet on child labor in Latin America, compiled by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2005

Child Labour Stories

Three stories of child labor presented by the International Labour Organization (ILO)

Global Employment Trends for Women 2004

[Excerpt] More women work today than ever before. In 2003, 1.1 billion of the world\u27s 2.8 billion workers, or 40 per cent, were women, representing a worldwide increase of nearly 200 million women in employment in the past 10 years. However, women still face higher unemployment rates, receive lower wages than men and represent 60 per cent of the world\u27s 550 million working poor. By analysing 7 labour market indicators, the Global Employment Trends for Women 2004 finds that the explosive growth in the female workforce has not been accompanied by true socio-economic empowerment for women, nor has it led to equal pay for equal work or balanced other benefits making women equal to men across nearly all occupations. In short, true equality in the world of work is still out of reach

Global Employment Trends

The January 2006 report documents the current trend in Global employment as well as the effects of the Asian tsunami, migration, and the oil shock in 2005

2007 Labour Overview: Latin America and the Caribbean

[Abstract] In summary, as the 2007 Labour Overview which I am pleased to present demonstrates, Latin America and the Caribbean have made progress in improving some key labour market indicators, especially in reducing unemployment, but significant gaps persist that affect the most vulnerable populations, the rate of informality remains high and not all workers have social protection. Progress must be made in every aspect, from recognizing labour rights to ensuring their effective application. These challenges underscore the need to support concrete policies and actions for the promotion of decent work through social dialogue. The ILO’s 2006-2015 Regional Agenda for Decent Work in the Americas, which received tripartite approval in 2006, offers hope regarding the commitment of governments, workers and employers to reducing the decent work deficit in the region. In this process, the ILO will continue to work closely with Latin American and Caribbean countries to develop decent work country programmes in order to reduce poverty and inequality and make advances toward the well-being of all citizens

Global Employment Trends for Youth

[Excerpt] Young women and men are among the world’s greatest assets. They bring energy, talent and creativity to economies and create the foundations for future development. But today’s youth also represent a group with serious vulnerabilities in the world of work. In recent years slowing global employment growth and increasing unemployment, underemployment and disillusionment have hit young people the hardest. As a result, today’s youth are faced with a growing deficit of decent work opportunities and high levels of economic and social uncertainty. This report adds to growing evidence of a global situation in which young people face increasing difficulties when entering the labour force. One of the principal findings of the report is that a global deficit of decent work opportunities has resulted in a situation in which one out of three youth in the world is either seeking but unable to find work (the unemployed), has given up on the job search entirely (the discouraged) or is working but still living below the US$2 a day poverty line (the working poor). This second version of the GET Youth (see also GET Youth 2004) updates the key world and regional youth labour market indicators, but offers original research as well, including a careful estimation of the number and share of youth who work but are living in households of less than US$1 or 2 a day (the so-called youth working poor). The working poor youth estimate can serve as a proxy for income-related underemployment and therefore fits nicely within the framework presented in the report for identifying youth who are most at risk to suffering from degrees of exclusion from decent work and therefore a framework for identifying whom would benefit most from targeted interventions. Without the right foothold from which to start out right in the labour market, young people are less able to make choices that will improve their own job prospects and those of their future dependents. This, in turn, perpetuates the cycle of insufficient education, low-productivity employment and working poverty from one generation to the next. The report, therefore, adds urgency to the UN call for development of strategies aimed to give young people a chance to make the most of their productive potential through decent employment