Latest news with #InternationalLaborOrganization
LBCI
11-06-2025
- General
- LBCI
Despite progress, world still had 138 mn child laborers in 2024: UN
Nearly 138 million children worldwide were still working in 2024, the United Nations said in a report released Wednesday, warning that while there had been progress, eliminating child labor could be delayed by "hundreds of years." "In 2015, the world made a promise to end child labor by 2025. That timeline has now come to an end," UNICEF and the International Labor Organization (ILO) said in their joint report. "But child labor has not." AFP
NHK
11-06-2025
- General
- NHK
ILO, UNICEF report says 138 million engage in child labor worldwide
UN organizations say that an estimated 138 million children between the ages of 5 and 17 were engaged in child labor worldwide in 2024. The International Labor Organization and UNICEF revealed the finding on Wednesday in a report titled "Child Labour: Global estimates 2024, trends and the road forward." One of the targets in the UN Sustainable Development Goals calls for an end to child labor by 2025. But the large numbers engaged in the practice indicate that this will be difficult. By industry, the most children worked in agriculture, at 61 percent. By region, nearly 87 million children, or about two thirds of the total, were working in Sub-Saharan Africa. The number for the Asia-Pacific region stood at about 28 million. The report said the number of child workers is in decline thanks to recent initiatives to protect them. The number has almost halved since 2000. But the UN organizations called on governments to continue their efforts to address the problem.
Korea Herald
09-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
KEF chief calls for flexible, diverse labor markets at ILO conference
The future of successful labor markets depends on greater diversity and autonomy, Korea Enterprises Federation Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik told the International Labor Organization on Monday, urging a balanced perspective and flexibility amid mounting economic and technical challenges. Representing South Korea's business community, Sohn, who also chairs CJ Group, delivered a speech at the ILO's 113th International Labour Conference in Geneva. He called on the lLO to consider each country's labor market circumstances and diverse views of labor, management and government in a balanced manner. Sohn noted that the world is facing "unprecedented and complex challenges,' due to global economic uncertainty, escalating geopolitical conflicts, technological disruptions and climate change. 'Technologies such as AI, robotics and automation are profoundly reshaping industrial structures and the labor market,' said Sohn. 'While new industries are growing and new jobs are being created, it is alarming that one out of five young people, who are our future generation, still remains unemployed without education or training.' Sohn stressed the need for flexibility in labor markets and stronger tripartite cooperation among workers, employers and government to build a virtuous cycle in which growth leads to job creation. 'Enterprises are the backbone of growth and job creation. Rigid and uniform regulations that hinder enterprise investment and employment need to be actively relaxed,' he said, adding that workers and employers should be allowed to flexibly manage working hours and shift toward a performance-based wage system. Following the speech, Sohn met with ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo to exchange views on Korea's labor market. He also held talks with Roberto Suarez Santos, secretary-general of the International Organization of Employers, Matthias Thorns, IOE vice president to the ILO and Employers' Group spokesperson, and Tan Hee Tek, president of the Singapore National Employers Federation, agreeing to strengthen global cooperation on employment and labor issues. The annual ILO Conference, taking place from June 2 to 13, brings together tripartite representatives from 187 member states to discuss a wide range of issues, including protection against biological hazards at work and decent work in the platform economy, among others.
Roya News
03-06-2025
- General
- Roya News
Palestine's status upgraded to 'Observer State' at International Labor Org.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) has unanimously approved upgrading Palestine's status from a "national liberation movement" to a "non-member observer state," marking a significant milestone in Palestine's international recognition. The decision was reached during the General Affairs Committee of the 113th International Labour Conference in Geneva. The final resolution is expected to be formally adopted in plenary on Thursday. This move aligns the ILO's position with that of other UN agencies such as UNESCO and the World Health Organization, following the UN General Assembly's Resolution ES-10/23 in May 2024. Expanded Rights for Palestine With the upgrade, Palestine will now enjoy expanded rights within the ILO, including: Delivering statements under all agenda items. Submitting proposals. Participating in all meetings with tripartite delegations Nominating delegates to the Conference Bureau starting in 2026. Ambassador Ibrahim Khraishi welcomed the decision, calling it a "firm and unambiguous response to the 'Israeli' Knesset's rejection of a Palestinian state." He added, "Some continue to reject fairness and persist in applying double standards, undermining the very principles of international legitimacy and justice." International support, opposition The resolution was strongly supported by the Arab Group, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and countries including France, China, Spain, and Switzerland. Both the Employers' and Workers' Groups backed the resolution, emphasizing its humanitarian necessity and alignment with the ILO's values. Hungary was the only country opposing the resolution. Khraishi expressed surprise at Hungary's stance, noting that it had recognized the State of Palestine as far back as 1988. Significance of the Decision Khraishi emphasized that "this step is not merely symbolic," but "an integral part of the Palestinian people's legitimate national and political struggle for justice, sovereignty, and self-determination."
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Business Standard
02-06-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Japan firms to face fines if they fail to protect workers from heat waves
By Shoko Oda, Yui Hasebe and Aaron Clark Tougher rules being enforced in Japan will see employers fined if they fail to take adequate precautions to protect workers from extreme temperatures. The revised legislation, which came into effect June 1, is a rare global example of a national-level policy on heat safety for employees, and comes after 30 workplace deaths and roughly 1,200 injuries last year associated with high temperatures, according to health ministry data. Most of those affected worked in construction or manufacturing. Japan's government moved to strengthen protections following last summer's searing heat — which included the highest July temperatures on record, the ministry said in a statement. Businesses will face potential penalties including fines of 500,000 yen ($3,475) if provisions aren't sufficient. Heatstroke is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by dangerously high body temperature that can result in severe organ damage if not treated quickly. There were almost half a million heat-related deaths annually between 2000 and 2019, according to a report last year by the World Health Organization. Along with public health impacts, higher temperatures can impact worker productivity and there's growing concern about the economic toll that heat waves have on economies. Global average temperatures exceeded 1.5C degrees above pre-industrial levels for the first time in 2024 and new highs are forecast to be recorded over the next five years, according the World Meteorological Organization. Japan's legislation requires employers to implement protocols to quickly spot and aid workers showing symptoms of heatstroke. Policies encourage companies to use a buddy system at work sites, distribute wearable devices to monitor staff, and provide emergency transportation to hospitals or clinics. Employers are urged to monitor the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index, a gauge of heat stress in direct sunlight that takes into account factors like temperature and humidity. Specific measures are required for work sites where the index value exceeds 28C or an atmospheric temperature of 31C for more than one hour, or for a total of four hours or more in a single day. A worker performing moderate work intensity loses half of their work capacity at 33C to 34C (91F-93F), according to a 2019 study from the International Labor Organization. The same report estimated the economic impact of heat stress by 2030 at $2.4 trillion if greenhouse gas emissions aren't cut. 'We are working on measures such as taking breaks according to the heat index and measuring internal body temperature using wearable devices,' said a spokesperson for Shimizu Corp., one of the nation's largest general contractors, which employs more than 20,000 people. The company said it is constantly updating its heatstroke policies. Parcel delivery service Yamato Transport Co. plans to distribute 75,000 fan-equipped vests to workers, including those who use carts and bicycles to drop off packages. It's also installing 3,000 wet bulb index measuring devices at business locations to better track working conditions. The measures are not in response to the new law, the company said. California and Washington are among US states to have developed similar rules on worker protections, and the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed setting a federal standard. There were an average 40 recorded fatalities a year in the US related to environmental heat between 2011 and 2020, according to the Department of Labor.
