A Fair Globalization

The World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization was established as an independent body by the International Labour Organization in February 2002, in light of the unprecedented socio-economic changes implemented by globalisation trends. This report explores how the ILO can help promote the objective that decent work should become a global goal. It examines six broad policy themes related to: national policies to address globalisation; decent work in global production systems; growth, investment and employment; constructing a socio-economic floor; the global economy and the cross-border movement of people; and strengthening the international labour standards system. The report also discusses how the ILO can respond to the Commission's call for the multilateral system to enhance participation and accountability and to make a full contribution to the building of a social dimension for globalisation.

This collection of papers examines key trends in the internationalisation of employment, drawing on the proceedings of an ILO conference held in Annecy, France in April 2005. The papers focus on three related issues: the impacts of trade and investment abroad, including the offshoring of production of goods and services, and effects on the winners and losers in terms of employment; adjustment methods for coping with the short and medium term problems related to the globalisation of employment; and the importance of international instruments to help ensure a level playing field in trade and promote development, drawing on established rights and international labour standards.