Not enough of this around, says ILO

Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Unemployement levels in G-20 countries would be between 29 and 43 percent higher without the economic stimulus packages put in place by most governments following the economic crisis unleashed by the fall of investment bank Lehman Brothers one year ago, the International Labour Organization (ILO) announced today 21 September. The ILO still foresees the number of unemployed globally at between 219 and 241 million people, an increase of between 39 and 61 million unemployed.

ILO Director General Juan Somavia will present the results of a report on the world’s employment situation to the G-20 Pittsburgh meeting 24 and 25 September. He was particularly concerned that “unemployment remains massive today as a result of the crisis. If the special measures taken (by governments) are unwound or withdrawn too early, the jobs crisis may worsen even further. For people worldwide, and in particular for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, the crisis will not be perceived as receding until they get a decent job and a minimum floor of social protection. A jobless recovery would not be socially or politically sustainable”, he said.

The G-20 countries comprise the 20 biggest economies in the world. The ILO report says that poorer countries still need additonal measures to protect workers from the economic downturn, and notes that not enough efforts have been made to combat labour trafficking and child labour.

Related: TdG

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