Ergonweb

Improvement in labor market conditions has been the main explanation behind many of the poverty success stories observed in the last decade-that is the primary conclusion of an analysis of changes in poverty by income source. Changes in labor earnings were the largest contributor to poverty reduction for a sample of 16 countries where poverty increased substantially. In 10 of these countries, labor income explained more than half of the change in poverty, and in another 4 countries, it accounted for more than 40 percent of the reduction in poverty. A declining dependency rate accounts for over a fifth of the reduction in poverty in 10 out of 16 countries, while transfers and other nonearned incomes account for more than a quarter of the reduction in poverty in 9 of these countries. A further decomposition of the contribution of labor income to poverty reduction in Bangladesh, Peru, and Thailand found that changes in individual characteristics (education, work experience, and region of residence) were important, but that overall, increases in real earnings among the poor matter the most.

"Women face higher unemployment rates than men globally, with no improvements likely in the coming years, according to an ILO report. The ILO's Global Employment Trends for Women 2012 looks at the gender gap in unemployment, employment, labour force participation, vulnerability, and segregation in jobs and economic sectors. Globally, the gap in unemployment and employment-to-population ratios was moving towards convergence before the crisis. The crisis reversed this trend in the hardest-hit regions. In the advanced countries, the crisis seems to have affected men in trade- dependent sectors more than women in health and education. In developing countries, women were strongly hit in trade-related sectors."

Interesting article about the Chinese bus driver strike in Singapore, set in the broader labour market / economic context.

ILO's concept note on post-MDG priorities

"World Report 2014 is Human Rights Watch's 24th annual review of human rights practices around the globe"

Key developments in the field of labour standards, human rights and decent work that we think will move centre stage during the coming year.

Report on Nepalese migrant workers in Qatar. in wake of Amnesty International report on working conditions

"The International Labour Organization and International Finance Corporation have announced the establishment of a Better Work programme in the ready-made garment sector in Bangladesh. As with its other country programmes, Better Work Bangladesh is a partnership with government, employers, workers, international buyers and other relevant stakeholders. "