Topic: International Labour Organization

Modern Parenthood
Parental leave global comparison: US still among least generous

Parental leave policies that guarantee new moms leave with income are available in 169 countries – the US is not among them, showed a study by Harvard and McGill Universities.

Opinion: How to give cooperative businesses more clout in the world economy

Against a backdrop of sluggish economic growth, rising wealth inequality, and high unemployment, cooperative businesses are telling an unexpected story of stability, growth, and value. They could do even more good if they received greater political and public support.

Cover Story
Reverse brain drain: Economic shifts lure migrants home

The tide of brain drain – from developing countries to industrialized nations – has turned. Human capital is returning home to Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Africa, while some European professionals squeezed by the recession, turn toward developing countries for advancement.

Cover Story
Human trafficking: a misunderstood global scourge

Sex trafficking has become an American cause célèbre. But does it divert attention from the broader human trafficking issue of modern-day slavery?

What Europe can learn from Aung San Suu Kyi's visit

During the next 16 days, Burmese Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is visiting Norway, Ireland, Britain, and France, where some say she is an example of turning weakness into strength.

Suu Kyi tells investors to steer clear of Myanmar state oil & gas firm

Aung San Suu Kyi, in a European speech Thursday, said Myanmar's state-owned energy company needs to improve transparency and accountability before foreign investments come in.

Europe pact: Members must balance budgets or suffer sanctions

European leaders signed a fiscal pact that would enforce balanced budget among member states. Leaders also pledged to promote growth. Members must still ratify the pact.

Change Agent
New California law combats human slavery

California law requires companies to make clear what they are doing to rid their foreign suppliers from the use forced labor or human trafficking.

In Burma: a fake out – or real reform?

Longtime Burma (Myanmar) watchers say recent reforms may amount to a genuine democratic opening for the authoritarian regime, but critics dismiss the moves as a propaganda offensive.

Why Burma's prisoner release may be more than a token gesture

Observers of Burma (Myanmar) say that political prisoners may be among those included in the Burmese government's announcement of amnesty for more than 6,300 people.

Indonesia's youth groups try to counter militant recruitment

As reports of militant recruitment among young people rise, small groups are popping up across Indonesia in an effort to help keep youths safe.

As trade pact with US sits, Colombia looks to China, others

Colombia's ambassador this week urged Congress to approve a free trade pact negotiated back in 2007. US is losing market share as Colombia looks elsewhere for imports.

Gender inequality costs Asia $47 billion annually

Gender inequality in Asia exerts a substantial economic drag, according to the International Labor Organization. Improved education, job training is needed.

Opinion: The Obama Doctrine is bad foreign policy

In his speech about Libya last night, President Obama articulated his thinking about intervention quite clearly – and it's quite clearly unacceptable.

Thailand offers safety net to informal workers to boost economy

Proponents say that a safety net in the form of social insurance for Thailand's informal workers – including taxi drivers, food vendors, garbage recyclers – could ease social tensions in a politically polarized nation.

At Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, recipient Liu Xiaobo represented only by his words

Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo, a jailed Chinese dissident, was honored in absentia today in Oslo, the first time in 75 years that no one was present to represent the laureate.

Why your Mexico City taxi driver might be a former executive

Taxi driver jobs in Mexico City can be a last grasp at economic security for professionals who have fallen victim to rampant age discrimination and recent economic woes.

The glittering Gulf states' dark labor secret

Foreign workers fuel the continued rise of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, while working for low wages and in miserable conditions.

What stigma? Burma (Myanmar) draws energy-hungry neighbors

Activists who pressured Western companies to boycott Burma (Myanmar) are now preparing to battle Asian firms eager for Burma’s oil and gas.

In India, local tribe battles UK giant Vedanta over bauxite mining

The Dongria Kondh tribe aims to defend its 'sacred' Niaymgiri hills in India from the bauxite mining bid of UK giant Vedanta. The conflict highlights India’s growing dilemma: how to balance badly needed industrial growth with residents’ connection to the land.

Unemployment among Latin America youths fuels 'lost generation'

A lost generation is emerging as unemployment soars among Latin America youths. Nearly 20 percent are neither studying nor looking for jobs.

Is South Korea backsliding on its democracy movement?

Teachers, citizens barred from political organizing.

Japan's economic downturn pushes more onto streets

Homelessness has doubled over the past year, say some, as once-vaunted community and company support has frayed. Many people sleep in parks or 24-hour Internet cafes.

Economic downturn fuels human trafficking

Twelve more countries are on the US watch list this year for failing to combat trafficking, as the recession makes workers vulnerable to exploitation.

Global News Blog
Hundreds of African migrants die in shipwreck off Libya's coast