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International Labour Organization

International Labour Organization
The International Labour Organization is responsible for drawing up and overseeing international labour standards. It is the only ‘tripartite’ United Nations agency bringing together representatives of governments, employers and workers to shape policies and programmes.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
People attend an October job fair in China’s Liaoning province. The nation’s youth-unemployment rate for those aged 16-24 has reflected a weakened job market in recent years. Photo: AFP
China jobs

China’s controversial jobless rate needs to be reformed, scholar urges

After a revamp of the youth-unemployment rate sparked concerns over data transparency, calls have come for comprehensive metrics to convey economic reality.

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Australia

Inside the hidden world of modern slavery in Australia’s diplomatic heart

South Korea

Why will Filipino helpers earn more in South Korea than Hong Kong, Singapore?

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Australia

Sri Lanka defends envoy in Australia fined for ‘modern slavery’ of maid

The Federal Court of Australia found that Himalee Arunatilaka had breached the Fair Work Act, and was ordered to pay more than US$360,000 in back wages to her former housekeeper.

An Australia court found Himalee Arunatilaka breached the Fair Work Act, and was ordered to pay US$360,000 in back wages to her former housekeeper. Photo: Shutterstock
United Nations

Education, social welfare essential for Asia to grow rich, cope with ageing: UN

The UN report said that growth in productivity has slowed, hurting incomes and undermining the purchasing power of the region’s 2 billion workers.

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Crime

Criminals reap US$236 billion in yearly profits from forced labour: UN agency

This is up by 37 per cent, or US$64 billion, compared with its last estimate published a decade ago in 2011, the International Labour Organization says.

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South Korea

South Korea doctors ask ILO to intervene as strike shows no signs of ending

The issue isn’t likely to be settled soon as President Yoon’s party has large public backing for the plan to increase medical school places, senior doctors say.

Doctors in Seoul chant slogans during a rally on March 3 to protest against government plans to increase medical school admissions. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

EU reaches deal on forced labour ban, with China’s Xinjiang in its sights

Provisional agreement would target sectors and regions profiting from state-imposed forced labour based on database drawn up by European Commission.

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Artificial intelligence

How AI development has fostered a digital ‘sweatshop’ in poor countries

The development of artificial intelligence has created opportunities for educated workers in the Philippines and other developing countries. But they are poorly paid and lack training.

Hong Kong workers/labour rights

How overworked are Hongkongers? More than half log 45-hour weeks: survey

Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions says 7.3 per cent of respondents work more than 70 hours a week, well above International Labour Organization recommendation.

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The International Labour Organization recommends a 40-hour work week and considers more than 48 hours excessive. Photo: Elson Li
Poverty

Child labour is on the rise again, ILO warns

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Taiwan economy

Taiwan’s migrant-worker reputation hit as Greenpeace flags labour violations

With the world’s second-largest fishing fleet, Taiwan is at risk of being shunned by foreign workers from Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, at a time when it is desperate to shore up its workforce.

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Malaysia

US lifts import ban on Malaysia’s Smart Glove

In November 2021, US Customs and Border Protection sanctioned imports from the company over the alleged use of forced labour at its production facilities

Malaysia

Malaysia probes cases of migrant workers left jobless, no passports

They risk forced labour as their plight is worsened by debt bondage, poor living conditions, isolation and limited freedom of movement.

Migrant workers queuing to use one of four toilets shared among 104 construction workers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last year. Photo: Reuters
Business of climate change

‘There is no escape’ from EU ESG disclosures, says global trade body head

‘If you don’t start preparing now, you will be late if and when the legislation kicks in,’ trade body head warns Asian suppliers to global brands

Shipping containers and gantry cranes are pictured at the Kwai Tsing Container Terminal in Hong Kong on March 14, 2022. Photo: Bloomberg
China's economic recovery

‘China’s doors will be opened wider’: Premier Li tells trade, finance heads

Li Keqiang vows to ‘facilitate international exchanges and people mobility’, at annual round-table gathering featuring face-to-face exchanges with heads of IMF, World Bank, WTO and others.

China's economic recovery

‘Not an easy job’: China premier promises steady economic growth despite Covid

China’s Premier Li Keqiang met with the heads of the World Bank, World Trade Organization and International Monetary Fund on Thursday in Huangshan, Anhui province.

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Middle East

Qatar says worker deaths for World Cup ‘between 400 and 500’

Since Fifa awarded the tournament to Qatar in 2010, the country has taken some steps to overhaul its employment practices such as setting a minimum wage and enhancing worker safety laws.

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Labourers remove scaffolding at the Al Bayt stadium in Al Khor, Qatar. Migrant labourers who built Qatar’s World Cup stadiums often worked long hours under harsh conditions and were subjected to discrimination, wage theft and other abuses as their employers evaded accountability. Photo: AP
Fifa World Cup 2022

Fifa World Cup 2022: South Asian workers watch match from outskirts

A cricket ground in Asian Town outside the city is where migrant workers from some of the world’s poorest countries enjoy the tournament they helped create. The World Cup spotlight has compelled Qatar to overhaul its labour system.

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Middle East

Qatar rejects compensation fund for World Cup migrant workers

Labour Minister says Qatar is already handing out hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid wages – and accused the Gulf state’s critics of ‘racism’.

Human trafficking

Inside Out | Focus on economic growth, education to prevent harms of ‘modern slavery’

‘Modern slavery’ is terrible, but practices such as forced labour and forced marriage have existed for centuries and hoping to end them is misguided. Our best bet is to stay alert, develop practices to minimise harm and work on economic growth, good education for everyone and reducing poverty.

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An activist from the Asian Migrants Coordinating Body holds a placard during a protest urging the Immigration Department to review its accommodation and visa polices for foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong in 2018. Photo: AFP
United Nations

UN: 50 million in ‘modern slavery’, cites Xinjiang, Fifa World Cup host Qatar

UN report said nearly one out of every 150 people in the world are caught up in modern forms of slavery, highlighting the situation in Xinjiang, where several UN agencies warned of possible forced labour.

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A UN report released on Monday said that nearly one out of every 150 people in the world are caught up in modern forms of slavery. Photo: Shutterstock
Women and gender

Opinion | Don’t leave women and girls behind in pandemic recovery

During the pandemic, many countries have gone backwards on gender parity. Fewer women are regaining employment, and millions of girls may drop out of school. But, as countries rebuild economies, there is no better time to implement inclusive policies, with women’s needs and concerns at the forefront.

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China economy

Zero-Covid creating ‘universal’ unemployment among China’s young graduates

Youth unemployment rate rose from 15.3 per cent in January to 19.9 per cent in July as record 10 million university graduates entered the job market.

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Jobs

Opinion | Labour rights vital as digital economy and new tech leave workers exposed

Tech giants are among major employers under scrutiny as workers remain at risk of exploitation in unfair and dangerous conditions. As work traditions change, labour laws and enforcement must evolve.

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US employees of Amazon, its supermarket subsidiary Whole Foods and supermarket delivery services strike on May 1, 2020, in Hawthorne, California, to protest at insufficient workplace protection against Covid-19. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

Opinion | Beijing’s Russia stance and its Taiwan threats hurt goodwill in Europe

Beijing has worked hard to build a consensus in many European quarters but an anti-China front is now building in the EU that could bury its 16+1 initiative.

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China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, speaks during a Security Council briefing on Ukraine at the UN headquarters in New York on April 5. Photo: Xinhua
Human rights in China

UN team in China ahead of likely Xinjiang visit by human rights chief

China’s strict anti-pandemic rules spark doubts about how freely the team can move around the country and Bachelet’s visit itself.

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Human rights in China

China ratifies forced labour conventions ahead of UN rights chief’s visit

China continues to deny accusations of labour abuses in Xinjiang.

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