The impact of globalization on world labour is a principal concern for both the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, resulting in the restructuring and redirecting of the International Labour Organization (ILO), which was founded to promote social justice and universal peace 82 years ago.
Reform and innovation are seen as keys to redefining the ILO mission and creating new standards to benefit workers in such critical areas as child labour, abuse of workers, improved health and safety, and maternity benefits. The ILO will be calling upon business and labour to ensure prosperity and stability in the globalization era.
Juan Somavia has been ILO Director-General for two years. The Canadian Employers Council (CEC), which represents Canadian business on ILO issues and actively supports ILO reform, is sponsoring his visit. Mr. Somavia has been an attorney, writer and diplomat in civil and international affairs, holding several key UN posts, for more than three decades. His perspective is all the more relevant in Canada as labour standards are increasingly linked to international trade agreements.
