A senior Chinese government official in Geneva on Tuesday called
on the International Labor Organization (ILO) and its member states
to take actions to help disadvantaged groups in the world of
work.
"The goals pursued by the ILO have always been achieving social
justice and fairness, ensuring all the workers to have equal work
opportunities and security," said Tian Chengping, Chinese minister
of labor and social security.
"However, poverty, unemployment, unsafety and insecurity at work
and lack of social protection remain to be the universal social
issues faced by many developing countries and regions," he told
more than 4,000 delegates to the 95th International Labor
Conference.
Tian noted that to implement the ILO's Decent Work Agenda, the
international community needs to provide assistance to
underdeveloped regions.
On the other hand, governments also need to help and protect the
disadvantaged groups in the labor world through domestic
policies.
The official shared with delegates China's experience in
promoting employment and improving social security system for the
disadvantaged people.
He also put forward several recommendations concerning the
social policy priorities of governments and the tasks of the ILO.
One of his recommendations is to provide employment services and
preferential policies for starting up small businesses, and to help
every family to have at least one person engaged in a job with
income.
Another recommendation is to provide more training opportunities
which comply with the demand in the labor market and are affordable
to the job seekers.
He also suggested developing a basic social safety network to
guarantee people's basic livelihood against old-age, diseases,
work-related injuries and unemployment.
Delegates to the conference, which opened on May 31 and ends
June 16, represent governments, workers and employers of more than
170 member countries of the ILO.
The meeting is focusing on a wide range of issues including
changing patterns in the world of work, child labor, occupational
safety and health, the employment relationship, labor inspection,
etc.
(Xinhua News Agency June 7, 2006)