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Geneva - The 91st International Labour Conference, which gets under way in Geneva on today, June 3, is to consider a host of issues ranging from a new plan for fighting poverty worldwide, to enhancing safety and security in the workplace and eliminating discrimination.

ILO Director-General Juan Somavia will introduce his report, entitled "Working out of Poverty", when the Plenary debate of the Conference starts on June 9. The report provides a road map for future ILO efforts to fashion a strategy for alleviating poverty by promoting decent work for the working poor as well as creating new opportunities for people excluded from work.

"Work is the best route out of poverty," Somavia says in the report, which includes an appeal to governments, workers and employers to join forces in seeking a tripartite joint effort to help "free people and societies from the global poverty trap."

Two eminent guest speakers will honour the conference with their presence this year. President Thabo Mbeki of the Republic of South Africa will address the conference on June 11 at 10 a.m. King Abdullah II of Jordan will address the conference on June 12 at 10 a.m.

The conference ends on Thursday, June 19. The opening plenary session in the Assembly Hall of the UN Palais des Nations in Geneva will elect the conference president.

Conference Committees are set to consider a host of key issues affecting the overall safety and security of people who work.

The conference will be called upon to examine and adopt the programme and budget proposals of the ILO for the 2004-2005 biennium and to consider other financial and administrative matters that the governing body decided to bring to its attention.

The World Day Against Child Labour to be marked on June 12 will focus attention on trafficking in children - everywhere it occurs and in whatever form. The event is to highlight the variety of responses to child trafficking by the ILO's International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) and the international community.

These responses range from community vigilance to law enforcement and reintegration of children. The event will be addressed by Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan.

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