GENEVA (ILO News) - ILO Director-General Juan Somavia
headed to the G20 summit with a strong message on the need
to restore confidence in labour markets by creating decent
jobs, particularly for young people, and promoting social
protection.
"In these highly uncertain times, when hundreds of millions
of people see their aspirations towards employment and
decent work wane, G20 leaders must hear and act to restore
confidence in labour markets," Mr. Somavia said ahead of
the June 18-19 G20 summit in Los Cabos, Mexico (
See official ILO press release for more
information).
"When people stop fearing a lay-off notice and see rising
wages again, their confidence will spread to investors in
the real economy," he added.
A total of about 84 million people in G20 countries are
unemployed, including 37 million youth. In the European
Union alone, over 24 million people are unable to find
jobs.
"People will assess the success of the G20 through its
action for economic recovery and financial stabilization,
through employment and intensive growth. Decent work is
what people expect all over the world," Mr. Somavia
said.
The ILO chief headed to the summit after the May 30-June 14
International Labour Conference (ILC), which addressed
topics ranging from the need for basic social protection
for all - known as Social Protection Floors - and the youth
employment crisis - a burning issue at a time when 75
million young people are jobless.
Mr. Somavia said he was carrying a clear message from
delegates at the ILC - who represent governments, employers
and workers from 185 countries - that the G20 must take
action on youth employment and social protection.
"Growth is indispensable but can no longer be the sole
criteria for the world economy. Creating quality jobs,
especially for youth, reducing poverty and informal work,
providing fair access to opportunities, especially to
foster large middle classes, gradually achieving universal
coverage of Social Protection Floors, should be the
criteria to measure macroeconomic success," Mr. Somavia
said.
The head of the ILO has been participating in G20 summits
since 2009.
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