#ilo asia pacific

[coopsday]

ILO and UNTFSSE celebrate first anniversary of UNGA Resolution on the SSE with a global webinar.

On Thursday, April 18, 2024, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy (UNTFSSE) hosted an anniversary webinar. The event featured regional updates and reflections on the progress since last year’s adoption of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution promoting the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) for sustainable development. The webinar attracted nearly 400 registrants from 65 countries. Accessibility in French, English, and Spanish ensured inclusivity for a diverse audience.

A Year of Global Progress

The event kicked off with a welcome statement from Ms Simel Esim, Head of Cooperative, Social and Solidarity Economy at the ILO and Co-Chair of the UNTFSSE. “Each region brings its unique insights and challenges, enriching our dialogue and enhancing our understanding of how to effectively promote sustainable development across different contexts,” Ms Esim stated. Noting the ILO's role as a co-founder and leader of the Task Force for most of the past decade, she underscored the past year's key achievements for the UNTFSSE and the ILO in follow-up to the ILC resolution concerning decent work and the SSE. She notably highlighted the online self-learning modules for awareness raising on the SSE, developed for the UNTFSSE by the ILO and its International Training Centre in Turin, with support from the Government of Luxembourg.

Ms Chantal Line Carpentier, Head of Trade, Environment, Climate Change, and Sustainable Development at UN Trade and Development and Co-Chair of the UNTFSSE, presented a summary of the UNTFSSE’s Strategic Action Plan for 2024-2026. She noted that the plan prioritizes implementing the UNGA resolution, preparing the UN Secretary General’s report, institutionalizing Task Force governance, and promoting key areas such as policy coherence, education and research, access to financial and non-financial support services, and statistics. Linking the SSE to a new economics for sustainable development she noted: “We see a lot of regional progress, and we need to make sure it goes global, and it goes national, and it goes local. And all of this we can do with our partners at all the levels, but it will require some resources.” 

Regional Level Highlights 

The webinar showcased updates from various regions, beginning with two video messages from Spain and Chile, two co-sponsors of the UNGA resolution, that highlighted the launch of the Ibero-American Network for the Promotion of the SSE. On the Iberian side, Ms Amparo Merino, Secretary of State for the Social Economy from Spain’s Ministry of Labour and Social Economy, praised the resolution as “a true example of international cooperation in these times in which conflict and international disorder seem to prevail.” On the Americas side, Ms Claudia Fuentes Julio, Permanent Representative of Chile to the United Nations Office at Geneva, stated: "Our commitment to social justice is at the heart of our efforts to promote the SSE. This dedication transcends borders as demonstrated by the participation of more than a dozen governments of the Americas in the ILO Global Coalition for Social Justice." 

Following these two video messages, Mr Patrick Klein, Head of Sector for Social Economy and Social Enterprise, and Ms Margit Perko, Policy Officer at the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, both representatives of the European Commission, discussed the implementation of the Social Economy Action Plan. Mr Klein underlined the importance of supporting “social economy actors to be a beacon in … the green transition [and] the digital transition." Ms Perko presented highlights of progress, such as the adoption of the Council Recommendation on developing social economy framework conditions and the launch of the EU Social Economy Gateway.

Participants then heard from Mr Sabelo Mbokazi, Head of Labour, Employment, and Migration Division at the African Union (AU) Commission. He discussed the AU’s engagement with the SSE, including the development, with ILO support, of a ten-year SSE Strategy and mapping studies to inform policy making. The strategy is set to be endorsed by Ministers responsible for Social Development, Labour, and Employment at the end of July in 2024. “The strides made so far,” he noted, “stand as a testament to the transformative potential of SSE in advancing socio-economic progress across the Continent.” 

And lastly, Mr Denison Jayasooria, Former Chair of the Asian Solidarity Economy Council (ASEC) and Head of Secretariat, All Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia on SDGs, shared the perspective of SSE actors in Asia and the Pacific, in the absence of an intergovernmental regional initiative on the SSE. Mr Jayasooria emphasized the vibrancy of the SSE movement in the region as “an alternative model of doing business and development … towards a more sustainable, inclusive, and just development.” Discussing the policy situation, he underscored the need to build on the multi-country research initiative with the ILO.

Participant Reflections & Re-Commitment

The presentations sparked a period of reflection among designated participants, including representatives from the Ministry of Microfinance and the Social and Solidarity Economy of the Government of Senegal, which co-sponsored the UNGA resolution, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Global Social Economy Forum and SSE International Forum. Joining the ILO’s Global Social Justice Coalition was emphasized as a key opportunity to promote the SSE. Looking ahead, upcoming milestones include the UN Summit of the Future, the Second World Summit for Social Development, and the second UN International Year of Cooperatives in 2025.

A video recording of the event is available here.

[socialjusticeday]

Social justice for all in Asia Pacific.

Join representatives of government, employers' and workers' organizations, the ASEAN Secretariat, Asian Development Bank and United Nations as they discuss what needs to change to make Social Justice in the world of work a reality across Asia and the Pacific.

[indianflash123]

Full Labour Recovery Still Remains Elusive for Asia -Pacific

Full Labour Recovery Still Remains Elusive for Asia -Pacific

Asia-Pacific labour markets recorded a partial rebound from COVID-19 impact but full recovery remains elusive with conditions expected to remain difficult into 2023, according to the latest report from the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Though employment numbers in the Asia-Pacific region in 2022 were 2.0 per cent above the pre-crisis level of 2019, recovering from the loss of over 57…

[indianflashnews]

Full Labour Recovery Still Remains Elusive for Asia -Pacific

Full Labour Recovery Still Remains Elusive for Asia -Pacific

Asia-Pacific labour markets recorded a partial rebound from COVID-19 impact but full recovery remains elusive with conditions expected to remain difficult into 2023, according to the latest report from the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Though employment numbers in the Asia-Pacific region in 2022 were 2.0 per cent above the pre-crisis level of 2019, recovering from the loss of over 57…

[milkboydotnet]

The World is Watching and Must Take Action to Stop the Murders of Working People! Solidarity to the Philippines!

The World is Watching and Must Take Action to Stop the Murders of Working People! Solidarity to the Philippines!

The labor rights situation in the Philippines has become so appalling that even traditional bodies like the International Labour Organization (ILO) are forced to respond. During the 105th Session of the International Labour Conference in June 2016, the Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS) adopted conclusions regarding the application by the Philippines of the ILO Freedom of Association Convention (ILO C087) and “noted with concern the numerous allegations of anti-union violence and the lack of progress in the investigation of many such cases…” and among the recommendations was to “accept a direct contacts mission in 2016 in order to follow up on the foregoing conclusions.” A mission was concluded in February 2017.

But the rights violations continued and did not taper, and during 108th International Labour Conference in June 2019, the CAS noted with concern the numerous allegations of murders of trade unionists and anti-union violence, as well as allegations regarding the lack of investigation in relation to these allegations, and again pushed for a mission to the Philippines for 2020. The High Level Tripartite Mission never transpired during the presidency Rodrigo Duterte, and only after he left the office was the HLTM allowed to proceed. The ILO HLTM is expected to be conducted on January 23-27, 2023.

During the years of continued attacks against workers, different trade unions and workers associations in the Philippines mustered courage, forged tighter ranks, heightened resistance, and systematically gathered information, data and cases on multiple violations and threats to the full enjoyment of the Freedom of Association, including murder of trade union leaders, harassment of workers and red-tagging conducted by State forces. The reports have been the basis for the ILO to include Philippines among the top 20 concern list, while the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) also noted the Philippines as among the top 10 “worst countries for workers” for consecutive years.

With Ferdinand Marcos Jr., son of the former dictator, Ferdinand Marcos Sr., now in power, the enablers and perpetrators of the human rights violations in the Philippines remained in power. The cabal of President Duterte are again in major positions of power, such as Eduardo Año who was recently appointed by President Marcos Jr. as the National Security Adviser.

The reign of terror and impunity of State forces are continuing. The complaint against 17 police personnel who were implicated in the murder of Emmanuel Asuncion on March 7, 2021, alongside eight other activists in the Region IV of the Philippines in what is now known as “Bloody Sunday” has been dismissed. The workers movement have documented 56 cases of murder of trade union leaders and workers, many of whom remains unsolved, without the perpetrators brought to face justice.

The notorious National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) persists on its framework that any campaign and advocacy mounted by working people and civil society for their rights and welfare are terrorists in nature, especially opposition against the destructive Neoliberal policies that have pauperized the working people. With such a framework, even collective bargaining between unions and employers are now treated by the State as part of terrorist plots, with State forces directly meddling and intervening. This has become a boon for employers, and transnational corporations (TNCs) operating their supply chains in the Philippines, who would rather have no collective bargaining at all and keep wages and benefits of their workers to a bare minimum to maximize their profit-taking.

Many countries in Asia-Pacific are reforming their labour laws, including India, Indonesia and Pakistan. Workers in these countries have criticized the changes as pro-business and anti-workers, and increases the precarity of the working people, through greater liberties given to employers to hire-and-fire workers. Those amendments have been met by robust opposition from the workers. To quell any resistance, the State, the elite in cahoots with the TNCs in these countries may very well employ the same practice of the Philippine government. The government of these countries are also known to have strong anti-terror laws and can use the practice of NTF-ELCAC in the Philippines to bring labor rights under the ambit of fighting terror.

Brother and sisters, all working people in the in Asia-Pacific must come together to protect our rights. While we advance our struggles within our national boundaries, we unite with fellow workers everywhere as we recognise the common struggle of workers against capitalist exploitation. Working class solidarity is necessary to fight the onslaught of imperialist neoliberal policies that have exploited the working people for superprofits, plundered the resources of the world, and heaped the most brutal repression against worker’s and people’s. We must take stock of what is happening in the Philippines, and through unity and solidarity, advance the struggle for a better world for all working people!

International League for Peoples’ Struggle – Asia-Pacific January 23, 2023

[ausetkmt]

How many slaves are there today, and who are they?

The word “slavery” conjures up images of shackles and transatlantic ships – depictions that seem relegated firmly to the past. But more people are enslaved today than at any other time in history. Experts have calculated that roughly 13 million people were captured and sold as slaves between the 15th and 19th centuries; today, an estimated 40.3 million people – more than three times the figure during the transatlantic slave trade – are living in some form of modern slavery, according to the latest figures published by the UN’s International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Walk Free Foundation.

Women and girls comprise 71% of all modern slavery victims. Children make up 25% and account for 10 million of all the slaves worldwide.

What are the slaves being forced to do?

A person today is considered enslaved if they are forced to work against their will; are owned or controlled by an exploiter or “employer”; have limited freedom of movement; or are dehumanised, treated as a commodity or bought and sold as property, according to abolitionist group Anti-Slavery International.

Of the 24.9 million people trapped in forced labour, the majority (16 million) work in the private sector. Slaves clean houses and flats; produce the clothes we wear; pick the fruit and vegetables we eat; trawl the seas for the shrimp on our restaurant plates; dig for the minerals used in our smartphones, makeup and electric cars; and work on construction jobs building infrastructure for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Another 4.8 million people working in forced labour are estimated to be sexually exploited, while roughly 4.1 million people are in state-sanctioned forced labour, which includes governmental abuse of military conscription and forced construction or agricultural work. In certain countries such as Mauritania, people are born into “hereditary” slavery if their mother was a slave.

Again, women and girls bear the brunt of these statistics, comprising 99% of all victims in the commercial sex industry, and 58% in other sectors, according to the ILO.

Where is this happening?

Statistically, modern slavery is most prevalent in Africa, followed by Asia and the Pacific, according to the Global Slavery Index, which publishes country-by-country rankings on modern slavery figures and government responses to tackle the issues.

But the ILO and Walk Free warn that these figures are likely skewed due to lack of data from key regions. “We believe that the global estimate of 40.3 million is the most reliable data to date, although we believe it to be a conservative estimate as there were millions of people we couldn’t reach in conflict zones or on the refugee trail and places where we couldn’t be sure of collecting robust data such as the Gulf states, where access and language barriers prevented us from reaching the migrant worker communities,” said Michaëlle de Cock, a senior statistician at the ILO.

More than 70% of the 4.8 million sex exploitation victims are in the Asia and Pacific region. Forced marriage is most prevalent in Africa. But there isn’t a single country that isn’t tainted by slavery: 1.5 million victims are living in developed countries, with an estimated 13,000 enslaved here in the UK.

Why are there so many slaves today?

Slavery is big business. Globally, slavery generates as much as $150bn (£116bn) in profits every year, more than one third of which ($46.9bn) is generated in developed countries, including the EU. Whereas slave traders two centuries ago were forced to contend with costly journeys and high mortality rates, modern exploiters have lower overheads thanks to huge advances in technology and transportation. Modern migration flows also mean that a large supply of vulnerable, exploitable people can be tapped into for global supply chains in the agriculture, beauty, fashion and sex industries.

“It turns out that slavery today is more profitable than I could have imagined,” Kara said. “Profits on a per-slave basis can range from a few thousand dollars to a few hundred thousand dollars a year, with total annual slavery profits estimated to be as high as $150bn.”

It’s important to acknowledge that global population rates also affect estimates: the top 10 countries with the highest estimated absolute number of victims are also some of the most populous. Together, these 10 countries – China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Indonesia, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, the Philippines and Russia – comprise 60% of all the people living in modern slavery, as well as more than half the world’s population, according to the Global Slavery Index.

An increase in violent conflict worldwide over the past 30 years has also inflated the number of people at risk of slavery, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with armed groups and terrorists turning to trafficking “to show they have control over the community, or to increase their force, either recruiting child soldiers or giving sex slaves as a reward for their recruitment”.

What’s the difference between slavery and human trafficking?

Human trafficking is just one way of enslaving someone. Whereas centuries ago it was common for a slave trader to simply buy another human being and “own” that person as their property (which does still happen), today the practice is largely more insidious.

Many times, the victim is led to believe they have been offered a well-paid job in a different city or country, only to find the job does not exist and they are now indebted to their “employer” or trafficker and must pay transportation, lodging and any other “fees” the exploiter demands, thereby forcing the victim into debt bondage.

For example?

Guardian investigations have revealed a slew of abuses from Qatar to Thailand, India to the United States. Qatar was forced to take action after revelations of abusive practices foisted on migrant workers helping build its infrastructure for the 2022 World Cup.

Trafficking on to fishing boats is still widespread, particularly in south-east and east Asia, where men are lured by the promise of jobs in agriculture or construction, then drugged or beaten and wake up at sea.

Exploitation of migrant workers has also been revealed in Malaysia, Cambodia, China, Italy, Vietnam and the UK.

How does someone end up becoming a slave?

Or a young girl forced to marry at 13 because climate change has flooded her family’s crops and they can no longer afford to keep her at home. Or a homeless person kidnapped from a London soup kitchen and forced to work on a caravan site. Or a migrant whose visa has expired and can be threatened with deportation if she doesn’t do what the trafficker demands.

Slavery is global but flourishes in places where the rule of law is weak and corruption goes unchecked, says Anti-Slavery International.

Will slavery ever end?

Activists such as Kara believe that slavery can be eradicated for good, but that it would take great political will and considerable research.

First, dedicated investigators would need to identify each level in the often murky supply chains of commodities in order to determine where labour abuses are taking place.

Then, independent certification processes would need to be designed for each commodity, so that consumers could make educated choices about the products they are buying and the slavery or labour abuses implicated with those purchases.

Finally, Kara says, industries would need to invest in the communities whose low-cost labour is being used to make the products. “Doing so would help mitigate vulnerability to being trafficked and exploited,” Kara said. “Consumers may have to pay slightly more for certain goods, and multinational corporations may have to accept slightly lower profits. But a freer and fairer labour environment would promote greater productivity, potentially offsetting some of those expenses.”

What do I do if I think someone is a victim of modern slavery?

According to Anti-Slavery International, slavery is so common that it is possible you come across victims “on a regular basis”. Key things to look out for are whether the person has freedom of movement; appears scared, withdrawn or shows signs of abuse; has few personal belongings or identifying documents with them; or seems under the control of someone else and scared to talk.

If you think someone may tick these boxes, it is best to contact authorities directly instead of approaching the person, as approaching them could put them in danger. In the UK, you can contact the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700, the police, Crimestoppers or groups such as Anti-Slavery International.

Further reading

Global Estimates of Modern Slavery: Forced Labour and Forced Marriage ILO

Global Report on Human Trafficking UNODC

With Ash on Their Faces: Yezidi Women and the Islamic State Cathy Otten

Modern Slavery: A Global Perspective Siddharth Kara

Disposable People Kevin Bales

[traffickinginstitute]

Report on Human Trafficking & Human Trafficking Facts

Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights, affecting millions worldwide. It involves the exploitation of individuals through force, fraud, or coercion for various purposes, including forced labor, sexual exploitation, and domestic servitude. The Human Trafficking Institute works tirelessly to combat this pervasive issue by providing essential data, support, and resources to law enforcement and policymakers globally.

Understanding Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is a multifaceted crime that transcends borders and industries. Traffickers prey on vulnerable populations, including women, children, and marginalized groups, exploiting their circumstances for financial gain. Victims often endure severe physical, emotional, and psychological abuse, with limited means of escape.

Human Trafficking Facts

Prevalence: According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there are an estimated 40.3 million victims of human trafficking globally. Of these, 24.9 million are subjected to forced labor, and 15.4 million are in forced marriages.

Demographics: Women and girls account for 71% of trafficking victims. Children constitute about 25% of the total number of victims.

Economic Impact: Human trafficking is a highly lucrative crime, generating approximately $150 billion annually, with forced labor accounting for $51 billion and sexual exploitation generating $99 billion.

Regional Insights: Asia-Pacific has the highest number of trafficking victims, while Europe and Central Asia report significant incidences of labor trafficking. North America sees a substantial number of cases involving sexual exploitation.

Legal Actions: Many countries have enacted anti-trafficking laws and established task forces to combat trafficking. However, prosecution rates remain low, with only about 9,000 convictions globally in 2018, highlighting the need for more robust enforcement mechanisms.

Online Exploitation: The rise of the internet has exacerbated human trafficking, with traffickers increasingly using online platforms to recruit, exploit, and control victims. Social media, in particular, has become a tool for luring unsuspecting individuals into trafficking schemes.

Conclusion

Human trafficking is a complex and pervasive crime that demands a coordinated global response. The Human Trafficking Institute is at the forefront of this battle, providing critical support to law enforcement, advancing legal frameworks, and raising awareness about the realities of trafficking. By focusing on data-driven strategies and international cooperation, the Institute aims to dismantle trafficking networks and secure justice for victims. Together, through informed action and unwavering commitment, we can make significant strides in eradicating human trafficking and restoring dignity and freedom to millions of individuals worldwide.

For more info:-

Report On Human Trafficking

What Are Human Trafficking Facts

[worldchildlabourday]

 Urgent action to end child labour.

ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle said: “The world has made a promise to children to end child labour by 2025 as stated in SDG Target 8.7. But there are still 160m children working today. Governments must scale up their efforts to tackle poverty and social injustice, and propose urgent rights-based action as set out in the Durban Call to Action. They can learn a lot from the work done by trade unions.”

 Trades Union Congress Ghana affiliate, the General Agriculture Workers’ Union, introduced a child labour clause in collective agreements, campaigned on the right to education for children and advocated an area-based approach to end child labour with support from the Global March Against Child Labour.

 In Bangladesh, with support from ITUC-Asia Pacific, unions joined efforts to accelerate the elimination of child labour by organising workers and rescue missions, advocating for stricter regulations and effective enforcement.

 A rise in the exploitation of immigrant children by corporations in dangerous workplaces around the USA led the AFL- CIO to renew its call for strong laws to prevent child labour abuse and to hold employers accountable by increasing penalties.

 In the Netherlands, the CNV and the FNV actively work for the elimination of child labour in supply chains through agreements with Dutch companies on international responsible business conduct. Their affiliates also support trade unions in Asia and Africa to introduce child labour-free zones.

Luc Triangle continued: “As long as workers continue to struggle for a decent living wage and adequate social protection, we will witness the scourge of child labour. We want a New Social Contract for decent work for all workers, so that parents can earn a good living and children can learn at school. To achieve these reforms, we need democracy in every workplace, and beyond, so workers always have a say.

“Ending corporate greed is essential to ending child labour. That means enforcing due diligence in global supply chains and holding businesses to account for their exploitation of workers and children, particularly in agriculture, where over 70 per cent of child labour occurs.

“We urge all nations to improve their implementation of ILO Convention 182, on the worst forms of child labour and we urge the ratification of Convention 138 on Minimum Age by the 11 governments who have not yet done so”.

Governments should also use the Pact for the Future, that will be adopted during the SDG Summit of the Future in September 2024, to intensify efforts to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and eliminate all forms of child labour.

To mark the World Day Against Child Labour, there will be a high-level event at the International Labour Conference that can be watched online here.

On 20 June, the Global March Against Child Labour is organising an event to showcase its area-based approach. Details on how to join the event online are available here.

International Trade Union Confederation

[adityarana1687-blog]

Corporate Wellness Market Expected To Achieve Lucrative Growth By 2030

The global corporate wellness market size is expected to reach USD 74.9 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 4.47% during the forecast period, based on a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Rising obese and overweight population increases insurance costs that account for the financial burden on employers. Corporate wellness initiatives target particular health risk factors such as stress, obesity, smoking, poor eating, and lack of exercise.

The pandemic has caused a change in the process of delivering wellness services. Although in-person sessions have resumed to some extent, the virtual platform has been made available to at-risk employees to meet their psychological and fitness needs. Initially, the lockdown imposed due to COVID-19 resulted in a transition to work from home, causing a great deal of stress. Companies around the globe are modifying their corporate wellness strategies to meet the emerging public health crisis due to COVID-19.

Organizations are increasingly using corporate wellness programmes to boost employee health and productivity, mitigate health risks, and minimize employee healthcare expenses. Businesses are more conscious of the importance of maintaining a psychologically and physically healthy workforce. As a result, capital investment in employee wellness programmes, solutions, and services has surged. Absenteeism expenses are reduced by USD 2.7 for every dollar spent on fitness programmes, according to a study conducted by Harvard economists. As a direct consequence, employees must be encouraged to live a healthier lifestyle in order to perform better.

Employers providing the programs have noticed a significant rise in productivity and a decline in leaves and attrition. In addition, companies in the U.K. initiated the Fit for Work service, which offers a tax benefit of USD 663.3 per year. Organizations are providing wearables, such as Fitbit, Apple, and Google watches, which helps in keeping track of parameters such as heart rate and blood pressure.

Moreover, the International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that the Asia-Pacific employs 1.9 billion people. Globalization has led in significant economic expansion throughout the region, with most countries experiencing a continuous increase in the number of employees. Additionally, the region's workforce is aging, with the region's population aged 60 and over predicted to grow by 24% by 2050, according to the United Nations report. This would result in an increase in the burden of chronic diseases among the region's working population in the following years. These factors create a potential for the market to grow in emerging countries throughout the forecast period.

Request a free sample copy or view report summary: Corporate Wellness Market Report

Corporate Wellness Market Report Highlights

In terms of service, the health risk assessment segment dominated the corporate wellness market in 2022. The health assessment activities enable employers to implement strategic initiatives to deal with the identified health risks

The stress management segment is likely to showcase the fastest growth rate from 2023 to 2030, owing to the rising preference for on-site yoga and meditation services and the rising prevalence of depression and anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Based on End-Use, large scale organizations segment dominated the market in 2022. The infrastructure in large scale companies makes conducting fitness services easier and convenient

North America dominated the market in 2022 due to the popularity of corporate wellness in the region. According to a survey by Benefits Canada conducted on 1300 employers, North America had the highest number of corporate wellness programs. More than 80.0% of the employers in North America are offering corporate wellness services to their employees

Corporate Wellness Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global corporate wellness market based on service, end-use, category, delivery model, and region:

Corporate Wellness Service Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2030)

Health Risk Assessment

Fitness

Smoking Cessation

Health Screening

Nutrition & Weight Management

Stress Management

Others

Corporate Wellness End-Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2030)

Small Scale Organizations

Medium Scale Organizations

Large Scale Organizations

Corporate Wellness Category Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2030)

Fitness & Nutrition Consultants

Psychological Therapists

Organizations/Employers

Corporate Wellness Delivery Model Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2030)

Onsite

Offsite

Corporate Wellness Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2030)

North America

U.S.

Canada

Europe

U.K.

Germany

France

Italy

Spain

Russia

Netherlands

Switzerland

Asia Pacific

Japan

China

India

Australia

New Zealand

South Korea

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Argentina

Middle East & Africa (MEA)

South Africa

Saudi Arabia

UAE

List of Key Players of the Corporate Wellness Market

ComPsych

Wellness Corporate Solutions

Virgin Pulse

EXOS

Marino Wellness

Privia Health

Vitality

Wellsource, Inc.

Central Corporate Wellness

Truworth Wellness

SOL Wellness

[coopsday]

Enhancing national policy cohesion on cooperatives and the wider social and solidarity economy.

COOP Champions features ILO colleagues from around the world working on the cooperative, social and solidarity economy.

Could you share some highlights of your work on cooperatives and the wider social and solidarity economy at the ILO Office for Viet Nam?

The ILO remains the only specialized agency of the United Nations with an explicit mandate covering all cooperatives and the social and solidarity economy. Not only is the ILO only specialized agency with a specific standard on the promotion of cooperatives (2002), but also a recent International Labour Conference resolution on decent work and the social and solidarity economy (2022). Building on that firm foundation, with technical backstopping from the COOP/SSE Unit in the Enterprises Department in Geneva, the ILO Country Office for Viet Nam has been supporting the Government of Viet Nam and social partners in developing and improving policies and legislation and in enhancing national policy cohesion on cooperatives and the wider social and solidarity economy.

The ILO has recently supported the Vietnamese government, Vietnam Cooperative Alliance (VCA) and social partners across the stages of amendment to the Law on Cooperatives as aligned with ILO Recommendation 193. The Viet Nam National Assembly adopted Law on Cooperatives at its 5th Session on 20 June 2023 that will go into effect on July 1st, 2024. The Law provides for an improved framework and an enabling environment which, in coordination with other legal frameworks and policies, contributing to expanding social insurance coverage for workers of cooperatives. It introduces revisions and amendments on regulations on registration, organization, and reorganization of cooperatives. It aims to simplify requirements for administrative procedures for the establishment and operations of cooperatives, including through digitalization. All these contribute to further promoting formalization and expanding social protection in the cooperative sector.

[socialjusticeday]

Watch online the event to commemorate world day of social justice 2024.

World Day of Social Justice reminds us each year of the need to build fairer, more equitable societies. The ILO will mark the occasion this year with a series of seven events held in major cities around the globe. The events will bring together high-level speakers from across the world of work to discuss how to put social justice at the centre of international, national and regional policy agendas.

Tuesday, 20 February 2024

09:00 - 10:00 (GMT+1) - Social justice for All in Asia and the Pacific

11:00 - 12:00 (GMT+1) - Achieving Social Justice in the Arab States through a just transition

13:00 - 14:00 (GMT+1) - How can International Geneva advance social justice?

15:00 - 16:00 (GMT+1) - Delivering Social Justice for Every Generation in Europe and Central Asia

17:00 - 18:00 (GMT+1) - Africa United for Social Justice

19:15 - 20:30 (GMT+1) - Global Coalition for Social Justice: Bridging Gaps, Building Alliances

21:00 - 22:00 (GMT+1) - Social Justice in Latin America and the Caribbean

[goldiers1]

UK Bangladesh Trade and Investment Meeting

  2nd, Bangladesh – UK Trade and Investment talks

The Government of Bangladesh was represented by the Commerce Secretary, Mr Tapan Kanti Ghosh. The British High Commissioner, Mr Robert Chatterton Dickson, and His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia, Mr Alan Gemmell OBE, led the UK delegation. Both countries agreed to convene the Dialogue annually and its Joint Working Group (JWG) regularly. The JWG would cover a broad range of trade and investment issues, including mutual barriers to market access and trade, with an agenda agreed between the UK and Bangladesh in advance. Both countries underscored the importance of the Dialogue and JWG as a step towards achieving an enhanced and stronger relationship.   Bangladesh – UK Trade and Investment Dialogue. Photo by the UK Government.   The UK and Bangladesh agreed to enhance the bilateral trading partnership to increase mutual prosperity ahead of and after Bangladesh’s graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. The UK recognised Bangladesh’s economic growth and resilience, despite the widespread impact of the global pandemic and ongoing global economic crisis. Bangladesh welcomed the UK’s generous Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) and acknowledged its role in integrating Bangladesh into the global economy, creating stronger trade and investment opportunities. The UK reflected commitments under DCTS to international conventions on labour standards and human rights, anti-corruption, climate change and the environment. The UK and Bangladesh discussed cooperation in areas such as LDC graduation, investment cooperation, pharmaceuticals, ease of doing business, financial sector development, higher education provision, taxation issues and intellectual property protection.   A Clear Vision Workplace, Garment Factory. Savar, Bangladesh. Photo by IAPB VISION. Flickr.   The UK encouraged Bangladesh to explore investment opportunities for the UK services sector including financial and professional services. Bangladesh reiterated the importance of the Ready-Made Garments sector to both the UK and Bangladesh. The UK outlined the private sector led aerospace offer to Bangladesh. Both countries recognised the importance of high-quality education and agreed to further deepen and widen the scope of collaboration in the area of higher education for mutual benefit. The UK stressed the importance of Bangladesh putting in place economic policies and systems to achieve its ambition of rapid, sustainable and green economic development; and pledged its ongoing cooperation.   Remediation Coordination Cell launched for Bangladesh garment industry. Photo by ILO in Asia and the Pacific. Flickr.   The UK emphasised the importance of maintaining a level-playing field for foreign companies interested in investing and operating in Bangladesh. The UK invited Bangladesh to engage with the UK private sector to pursue a commercial dispute resolution system to unlock the full potential of Foreign Direct Investment into Bangladesh.   His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia said, “The UK and Bangladesh relationship is underpinned by the potential of our trade and investment relationship that will help both of our economies to grow. Foreign Direct Investment builds the foundation to provide jobs, transfer skills, generate revenue, create competition and drive standards higher. A conducive business climate and removal of market access barriers will benefit both countries and underline the great opportunities for UK businesses.”   The Commerce Secretary concluding the Dialogue said, “The historic relationship between the UK and Bangladesh is based on mutual interest and common values. Bangladesh is very keen to take this relationship to a new height through enhanced trade and economic cooperation. I believe today’s Dialogue contributes to increasing trade and investment in both countries.”   Sources: THX News & British High Commission Dhaka. Read the full article

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Human Trafficking: A Stark Reality of Modern-Day Slavery

Human trafficking, a sinister manifestation of modern slavery, continues to plague societies worldwide, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Defined as the exploitation of individuals through force, fraud, or coercion for various forms of labor or commercial sex, human trafficking remains a pervasive global issue. This article delves into the staggering statistics surrounding Human Trafficking Slavery Statistics, shedding light on the scope and severity of this humanitarian crisis.

Magnitude of the Problem

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), an estimated 40.3 million people were victims of human trafficking globally in 2016. This number includes 24.9 million individuals in forced labor and 15.4 million in forced marriage. The sheer scale of these figures underscores the urgent need for concerted international efforts to combat this grave violation of human rights.

Gender Disparities

Women and girls are disproportionately affected by human trafficking, comprising 71% of detected trafficking victims. Many are coerced into sexual exploitation, forced labor, or domestic servitude. Vulnerable populations, including migrants, refugees, and indigenous peoples, are particularly at risk due to socioeconomic disparities and lack of legal protections.

Regional Variances

Human trafficking is a transnational crime that knows no borders, affecting every region of the world. The Asia-Pacific region, for instance, accounts for the largest number of trafficking victims globally, with estimates suggesting over 9 million people subjected to forced labor and sexual exploitation. In Africa, trafficking networks exploit children for forced labor in agriculture, mining, and domestic work.

Economic Impact

Beyond its humanitarian toll, human trafficking poses significant economic challenges. It generates illicit profits estimated at $150 billion annually, making it one of the most profitable forms of organized crime. These illicit gains fuel corruption, undermine labor standards, and perpetuate cycles of poverty and exploitation.

Child Trafficking

Children are among the most vulnerable victims of trafficking, with estimates suggesting that one in four victims are minors. They are exploited in various forms, including as child soldiers, domestic workers, and in the commercial sex industry. Child trafficking robs young lives of their innocence and potential, perpetuating intergenerational cycles of exploitation.

Challenges in Detection and Prosecution

Detecting and prosecuting traffickers pose significant challenges due to the clandestine nature of the crime, victims' fear of reprisal, and inadequate resources for law enforcement and victim support services. Moreover, inconsistent legal frameworks and corruption hinder effective cross-border cooperation, allowing traffickers to operate with impunity.

Global Efforts and Initiatives

International organizations, governments, and civil society are increasingly mobilizing to address human trafficking through prevention, prosecution, and protection efforts. The United Nations' Palermo Protocol and the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in the United States are examples of legislative frameworks aimed at combating trafficking and supporting victims.

For More Info:-

Report On Human Trafficking

What Are Human Trafficking Facts