ILO envoy stresses need for equal employment

Jane Stewart, special representative of the International Labor Organization (ILO) to the UN,stressed on Thursday the need for equal employment opportunities for all people around the world. During a panel discussion held in commemoration of the World Day for Social Justice, Stewart noted there is a "relationship between economic, social and environmental issues." "It is very important to understand that social policy, good economic policy and good environmental policy are all interlinked and sustainable jobs are at the center," she said. Stewart said some 500 million young men and women will be joining the work force in the next decade. Therefore, right now there is a need to have inclusive growth and an understanding of economic success and job creation, the special representative said. Also on Thursday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon released a World Day for Social Justice message, in which he reiterated the panelists' concerns. "Experience shows that economic growth, on its own, is not sufficient." "We must do more to empower individuals through decent work, support people through social protection and ensure the voices of the poor and marginalized are heard," Ban said. The UN General Assembly proclaimed Feb. 20 as the World Day of Social Justice in 2007, inviting member states to devote the day to promoting national activities in accordance with the objectives and goals of the 1995 World Summit for Social Development.