The rate of unemployment in the industrial world could reach 10 percent in 2010, the highest level since 1970s, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) warned on Tuesday.

The Paris based organization estimated that 57 million people could lose their job in its 30 member countries by the end of 2010, while it was 37.2 million jobless at the end of 2008.

"Unemployment will continue to weigh on national economies for a long time to come," OECD Secretary General Angel Guria said in a statement. "Previous downturns have taught us that the jobs recovery will lag a long way behind the pickup in the economic growth."

The OECD said it was working closely with its member countries "to adapt their policies to help the unemployed and avoid high unemployment levels becoming persistent."

The organization suggested governments to ensure financial safety nets for low income families and the unemployed. It also urged countries to make greater efforts to provide training opportunities to the unemployed.

In April, the OECD expected the rate of unemployment came to 7.8 percent.

(Xinhua News Agency June 24, 2009)