ILO chief welcomes G-20 focus on growth, jobs, social protection - The Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Juan Somavia, on Friday welcomed the focus placed by the Group of 20 (G-20) Leaders'  Summit in Cannes, France, on economic growth, jobs and social protection. PANA learnt that the G-20 leaders on Friday put a strong emphasis on growth and jobs within the G-20 ``Framework for strong, sustainable and balanced growth'.

It established a Task Force on Employment that will initially concentrate on youth employment, now estimated between two to three times higher than adults’ unemployment.

It said that the Task Force would be convened under the Mexican Presidency of the G-20 and it would build on the recent report by former President of Chile, Ms. Michelle Bachelet.

The G-20 also tasked several international organizations, including the ILO, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the World Bank, to report to finance ministers on the global employment outlook and how the ``Framework for strong, sustainable and balanced growth' could contribute to job creation.

It also called on international organizations to achieve greater coherence between employment and social issues on one side, and economic, monetary and financial issues on the other.

In particular, the G-20 called for working together on an assessment of the social impact of economic policies.

Somavia, in a statement made available to PANA in New York, said that the the focus was imperative following the expressions of global discontent with employment and social conditions in many cities and countries around the world.

He stated: ``G-20 leaders are connecting their macroeconomic agenda to policies for decent work, a better start in working life for young women and men, and social protection floors to prevent extreme poverty'.

``If pursued and implemented with determination, it will start to rebuild confidence among working people that governments are able and ready to manage the global economy in their interest,' he noted.

The ILO chief said that, ``the G20 also stressed its commitment to promote and ensure full respect of the fundamental principles and rights at work, and encouraged the ILO to continue to promote ratification and implementation of the eight fundamental ILO conventions'.

Noting the G-20 support for the role of social dialogue, Somavia highlighted the importance of inviting representatives of the real economy, comprising labour and business, to contribute to the leaders’ policy debates.

``It is vital that the voices of those who represent the people who actually build strong, sustainable and balanced economies are heard at the highest level,' he said.

PANA reported that the G-20 meeting in Cannes took place amid weakening economic recovery and as the global economy is on the verge of a new and deeper employment recession.

An ILO report prepared for the recent G-20 labour and employment ministers meeting in Paris warned that the slow-down in the global economy could result in a massive jobs shortfall among G-20 countries by next year.

Pana 05/11/2011