World OSH Congress to discuss latest challenges in world of work
The XIX World Congress on Safety and Health at Work to be held in Istanbul on 11-15 September provides a major forum to discuss the latest safety and health challenges in the world of work. ILO Online spoke with Seiji Machida, Director of the ILO’s Programme on Safety and Health at Work and the Environment (SafeWork), about the Congress and the challenges ahead. (12 September 2011)

Message by ILO Director-General on the occasion of International Youth Day
Since Youth Day 2010, from Tahrir Square to Puerta del Sol young women and men have been central actors in a broad-based social mobilization that speaks of profound dissatisfaction with the state of our world. This year’s theme “Change our world” is fitting at a time when millions of youth across the globe are calling for decent jobs and better opportunities, security and fair growth. They are striving for the freedom to choose and to contribute to a world with social justice and peace. (12 August 2011)

Questions and answers on the hidden reality of children in domestic work
The recently approved ILO Convention No. 189 and Recommendation No. 201 on decent work for domestic workers aim to protect and improve working and living conditions of millions of workers worldwide, who have few – if any – labour rights. Many are children who spend long hours working as domestic helpers, performing tasks such as cleaning, ironing, cooking, minding other children and gardening instead of being at school. ILO News spoke to ILO experts Martin Oelz (TRAVAIL) and José M. Ramírez (IPEC) on the current situation of child domestic workers and how the new Convention and Recommendation can help impact their lives.

Message by ILO Director-General Juan Somavia on the occasion of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous and tribal peoples are entitled to live and to work in dignity.

The world is enriched by their heritage yet they continue to face major challenges in securing a future with dignity and respect for the integrity of their past. In a competitive socio-economic context with growth patterns that commonly work against them, including through the progressive destruction of their natural environment, indigenous and tribal peoples are more often than not among the most disadvantaged of their societies, deeply affected by poverty and social exclusion.