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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
Workers operate a machine at a manufacturing facility in Kanchipuram district in India. Photo: AFP
India

‘More dangerous than Covid’: outrage over call for 7-day work week in India

The comments betray a traditional mindset that equates productivity with long hours of work and are ‘removed from reality’, experts say.

China jobs

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

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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?

Foreign domestic workers will enjoy high wages under a government pilot project – raising affordability concerns among Korean families seeking care.

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A group of 100 Filipino women arrive in Seoul on August 6 to take part in South Korea’s first-ever pilot project for domestic workers from the country. Photo: Yonhap/EPA-EFE
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.

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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Workers and supporters attend a demonstration to mark International Women’s Day in Bangkok, calling for better employment conditions and a good quality of life, equal rights for female labour. Photo: EPA-EFE
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.

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.

“Delmar”, a Filipino worker who helps train AI models, performs a task on the online platform Remotasks. While the artificial intelligence development industry has created opportunities in the Philippines, a lack of decent pay and training has raised concerns. Photo: Per Elinder Liljas
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

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

Smart Glove and its group of companies allegedly used forced labour at production facilities. Photo: Reuters
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

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.

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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.

China Premier Li Keqiang met with International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Kristalina Georgieva in Huangshan, Anhui province, on Thursday. Photo: CCTV
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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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’.

A worker carries a bucket of building materials past the World Cup stadium in Doha. Photo: AFP
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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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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China’s high youth unemployment rate can be attributed to the nation’s draconian Covid-19 control measures and a record number of university graduates entering the job market. Illustration Henry Wong
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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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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