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French president calls for universal social dialogue at ILO conference

Xinhua, June 12, 2015 Adjust font size:

The International Labor Organisation's (ILO) World of Work Summit, held on Thursday in Geneva, explored the implications of climate change for workers, enterprises and communities across the world.

Invited speaker French President Francois Hollande said that the "struggle for energy transition will engender substantial changes to economies," while creating both opportunities for growth as well as challenges.

Despite these changes, Hollande stressed that certain principles including labor contracts, social security and the dignity of workers should remain inviolable.

During the speech he made to delegations, Hollande highlighted the harsh labor realities which continue to affect the world and much of its labor force.

This is part of the 104th Session of the ILO, taking place between June 1 and June 13.

He mentioned that 250 million people are jobless worldwide, and that "no region or country is spared from this scourge," while denouncing the lack of social security for many people across the world.

He also added that over 2 million workers die each year as a result of their jobs and that 170 million children are exploited despite existing labor regulations strictly forbidding child-labor.

The French president furthermore brought to the fore the importance of social dialogue on a global scale as well as the crucial role played by the ILO, headed by its Director-General Guy Ryder.

Ryder reiterated Hollande's points, stating that "to act for the climate is to act for justice as well as employment."

He also underlined the importance of normative rules which allow for universal benchmarks to be set to improve labor conditions and regulations.

France will host the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 this year. Endit