The ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, called for a global initiative on the future of work led by the ILO's tripartite constituents. Addressing delegates at the 104th International Labour Conference, he also outlined an agenda that includes a proposed international labour standard on the transition from the informal to formal economy.

The right on health and safety workplace is a fundamental human right and decent work implies safe work. As one of the key actors in the world of work, trade unions have an active role to play in building a culture of prevention on occupational safety and health, both at national and workplace levels.

A report commissioned by the European Commission to the European Social Policy Network of independent experts published today shows that Member States have made progress in implementing reforms toward social investment but there still a lot to be done for the modernisation of the social protection systems across the European Union.

The economic situation in the EU started gradually improving nearly two years ago, and most Member States have recently registered positive GDP growth. Employment has started picking up, with improvements now materialising in most sectors.