International Labor Organization (ILO) Director General Juan Somavia addressed representatives of the Chinese government, trades unions and employers at a meeting held in Beijing on April 22 to celebrate the founding of the ILO 90 years ago this month.

A meeting was held in Beijing on April 22 to celebrate the founding of the ILO 90 years ago this month. [Wang Zhiyong/China.org.cn]

Mr Somavia's address to representatives of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS), the All China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU), and the China Enterprises Confederation (CEC) was delivered in a recorded video message.

"'Working for social justice' is more than just the theme of our 90th anniversary. It is our assessment of the past and our mandate for the future," said Juan Somavia.

A collection of commemorative photos showcasing the ILO's work in China was exhibited at the event. [Wang Zhiyong/China.org.cn]

Noting that the ILO 90th anniversary coincided with economic crisis and soaring unemployment, Mr Somavia said, "The ILO's global actions and initiatives, the Decent Work Agenda, with its four pillars of employment promotion, social protection, social dialogue, and rights at work, are designed to ameliorate the effects of such crises."

Minister Yin Weimin of the MOHRSS, Mr Chen Lantong, vice president of the China Enterprises Confederation, and Mr Xu Zhenhuan, vice chairman of the All China Federation of Trade Unions underlined the major challenges presented by the on-going global crisis, and the importance of strengthening ILO-China cooperation.

China's Minister of Human Resources and Social Security, Mr. Yin Weimin addresses a meeting held in Beijing on April 22, 2009 to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the International Labor Organization. [Wang Zhiyong/China.org.cn]

They also highlighted the accomplishments of the ILO since it established an office in China in 1985.

China was one of the founding members of the ILO and is a permanent member of its governing body. In 1971 the People's Republic of China was restored to its legitimate position in the ILO. In 1983, China formally resumed its activities in the organization when it sent a delegation to the 69th ILO Conference.

Ms. Constance Thomas, director of the ILO Office for China & Mongolia, addresses a meeting held in Beijing on April 22, 2009 to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the International Labor Organization. [Wang Zhiyong/China.org.cn]

Founded in 1919 as labor unrest swept the world in the wake of the First World War and the Russian Revolution, the ILO is the only surviving major creation of the Treaty of Versailles which ended the war. The organization became part of the United Nations when the UN was established after the Second World War.

The ILO brings together representatives of governments, trades unions and employers and is devoted to advancing opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. It promotes rights at work, better employment opportunities, enhanced social protection, and social dialogue to address work-related issues.

(China.org.cn April 23, 2009)