welcomes 2021 with a new multimedia platform that focuses on first person stories taking readers on a journey into the world of work and reflecting its human-centred approach.
Employment
A has found that monthly wages fell or grew more slowly in the first six months of 2020 in two-thirds of countries and they are expected to fall further.
Wedding season hits a hitch in Kosovo
The of the International Labour Organization has taken the exceptional action of adopting a Resolution to address the dire situation of seafarers trapped at sea because of the COVID-19 pandemic. ※The problems faced by seafarers resulting from efforts to contain the virus have lasted unacceptably long§, said ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder. ※These key workers continue to transport the food, medicines and goods that we need, but their extended periods at sea, and the inability of seafarers ashore to relieve them, are simply unsustainable.
COVID-19 outbreak has provocated stigma and discrimination against people perceived to have been in contact with the virus or people with certain ethnic backgrounds, nationalities and migrants. How trade unions can address stigma and discrimination at the workplace?
Fundamental rights at work can play a vital role in building effective, consensus-based responses towards the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and build back a better, more just world of work, according to the . However, the paper also warns that the crisis has placed these freedoms and rights at work at risk, as countries face increases in poverty, inequality and vulnerability.
Masked opportunities
Sitting at her laptop in Jakarta, Indonesia, Laura Lesmana Wijaya is busy building her first online shop. The portal will be used to promote and sell household products made by local blind and deaf people. The 29-year-old, who is herself deaf, was one of 19 people with disabilities selected to take part in ILO training programmes on creating online shop applications and online shop administration. The aim was to improve incomes and create more sustainable livelihoods in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rapid assessments examining the immediate impact of the on vulnerable workers and enterprises in fragile Arab states, show a significant reduction in jobs and incomes for both Syrian refugees and host communities. Limited financial capacities to cope with the crisis have led to a deterioration in living and working conditions of all workers, the assessments found. The studies, conducted by the ILO in collaboration with a range of development and humanitarian partners, show that Syrian refugees, informally employed workers, women and younger workers have been disproportionately affected by the crisis in Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq.
Countries that are already experiencing fragility, conflict, climate change and forced displacement will continue to face multiple burdens as results of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gender equality is a fundamental human right as well as a cornerstone of a prosperous, modern economy generating sustainable inclusive growth. However, women around the world continue to be paid less than men. Globally, the gap in earnings between men and women stands at about 20%. On this first International Equal Pay Day, we must acknowledge that equal pay is still far from a reality. UN Women more about the gender pay gap. This first observance is also notable as it comes while the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has heightened inequalities at work and at home.
Creating new opportunities for home workers in Nepal
Labour migration from Pakistan has steadily increased in recent decades and continues to improve family and community livelihoods. However, a lack of good information about safe migration, fair recruitment channels and related services is a key challenge for those interested in becoming migrant workers. warns that without accurate information they can be vulnerable to deception and even abuse. Volunteers aim to ensure fair recruitment and safe migration for migrant workers from Pakistan.
A humanitarian crisis is taking place at sea and urgent action is needed to protect seafarers＊ health and ensure the safety of shipping, warns . It is estimated that more than 300,000 seafarers and marine personnel are currently stranded at sea and unable to be repatriated despite the expiry of their contracts. A similar number of seafarers have been unable to join ships and relieve them. This is due to restrictions imposed by several governments in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 100 short-term decent jobs clearing debris and rubble from the streets of Beirut have been created for Lebanese nationals and Syrian refugees, under an .