Statements and speeches
2019
-
Protecting the most vulnerable: Why protecting the rights of migrant workers remains a critical priority
18 December 2019
ILO Regional Director for Arab States Dr. Ruba Jaradat reflects on the importance of International Migrants Day for millions of workers in the Middle East
-
Message from ILO's Director-General Guy Ryder for International Cooperative Day 2019
05 July 2019
The 2019 International Day of Cooperatives will be celebrated on Saturday 6 July. This year, in commemoration of the ILO’s centenary, the theme is "cooperatives for decent work" which is closely linked to SDG8. On this occasion ILO Director-General Guy Ryder has issued a video message.
-
© Tran Van Yen / ILO 2024
How we treat our children is a reflection of our societies and values
12 June 2019
In a statement released for World Day Against Child Labour, ILO Director-General Guy Ryder urges Governments, workers and employers to make a final push to end child labour.
-
ILO Regional Director Ruba Jaradat’s address to the 46th Session of the Arab Labour Conference
21 April 2019
At the Arab Labour Conference in Cairo, Jaradat spoke of the challenges and opportunities presented by the labour market in Arab States, and highlighted some of the results achieved by countries in the region with the support of the ILO. During the conference, ILO officials also presented the key findings of the ILO Global Commission on the Future of Work’s flagship report.
-
World Day of Social Justice
19 February 2019
In a statement marking World Day of Social Justice, ILO Director-General Guy Ryder says decent work is key to achieving sustainable development and social justice, itself a foundation of lasting peace.
-
Work for a Brighter Future
11 February 2019
In a speech to the seventh World Government Summit, ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder stressed the need for people to design the future of work they want. He identified three areas for investment: people and their capabilities; institutions; and jobs of the future, and said that the private sector’s productive capacities, resources and potential needed to be harnessed for the future of work agenda.
2018
-
© Narayan Maharjan / NurPhoto 2024
Timely HIV testing is key to workers’ health
30 November 2018
Do you know your HIV status? In around 50 countries HIV infections are still rising and everywhere death rates are still too high.
-
Developing the care economy can boost employment and equality for Arab women
08 March 2018
On International Women’s Day, International Labour Organization (ILO) Regional Director for Arab States Dr Ruba Jaradat calls on societies and governments to recognize the contribution of women care workers who uphold our economies and communities.
-
© Richard Messenger 2024
Fair play without human rights violations
26 February 2018
In a speech on the margins of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, calls for labour rights to be observed in the run up to mega sporting events
-
© Huang jiexian / Imaginechina 2024
Social justice for migrant workers is in everyone’s interest
20 February 2018
Fair treatment for the world’s 150 million migrant workers is in everyone’s interest, and requires labour migration to be well-governed and effective, says ILO Director-General Guy Ryder.
2017
-
© Nguyen A. / ILO 2024
The future world of work must be fully inclusive of people with disabilities
01 December 2017
“People with disabilities, with their skills and talents, are an important asset to the labour markets today and in the future,” says ILO Director-General Guy Ryder.
-
© S. Gombert / Cultura Creative 2024
“Leaving no-one behind means ending all forms of violence and harassment against women”
25 November 2017
"With notable exceptions, far too little has been done for far too long to end the culture of impunity, to end the culture of silence," says ILO Director-General Guy Ryder in a statement issued on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
-
© J.C. Huayllapuma / CIFOR 2024
Indigenous women’s voice and empowerment more important than ever to ensure a better future of work for all
08 August 2017
Ten years since the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted, the international community renews its commitment to promote the empowerment and voice of indigenous women.
-
Cooperatives help to build inclusive economies and societies
01 July 2017
"Let us draw on the strengths of cooperatives as we pool efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda and make sure that no one is left behind," says ILO Director-General Guy Ryder.
-
© A. Gonzalez Farran / UNAMID 2024
"In conflicts and disasters, protect children from child labour"
12 June 2017
“Children in areas affected by conflict and disasters are among the most vulnerable. No child must be left behind,” says ILO Director-General Guy Ryder in his statement for World Day Against Child Labour.
-
© Asian Development Bank 2024
A greener future will not be decent by definition, but by design
05 June 2017
"Let’s not just mark World Environment Day. Let’s make it a reason to put our political will into action. The future of our jobs, and of our children, relies on it," says ILO Director-General Guy Ryder.
-
© Jesse A. Lora / NAVFAC 2024
"Accurate data will help to save lives"
28 April 2017
"Countries that have good data will be better placed to fulfil their commitment to implement and report on the global plan of action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all under the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," says ILO Director-General on World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28th April.
-
The future of work in Arab states: Working together for growth, peace and resilience
31 March 2017
In a region facing a unique set of challenges, International Labour Organization (ILO) Regional Director for Arab States Dr. Ruba Jaradat says Arab governments, workers and employers must work together to ensure a future of decent work and social justice.
-
© Stefan Magdalinski 2024
Decent work for social justice
20 February 2017
On World Day of Social Justice (20 February), ILO Director-General Guy Ryder underscores the challenge of bridging the social and economic gaps which have arisen as a result of growing inequality.
2016
-
Enabling policies for persons with disabilities are crucial to achieving SDGs
03 December 2016
People with disabilities are the world’s largest minority, says ILO Director-General Guy Ryder. However, their right to productive employment and decent work is frequently denied.