Two of the ILO's core Conventions cover non-discrimination in employment, and equal pay for work of equal value. Child workers Some two-thirds of the world's working children live in Asia. About one child in five is estimated to be working, some of them in intolerable forms of child labour. Most new jobs fall into this category, and often are outside the influence of labour legislation. This growing incidence of unregulated work often goes hand in hand with poor wages and working conditions, and inadequate safety and health in the workplace.
Workers are particularly vulnerable in times of labour contraction and industrial restructuring.
According to the ILO's recently published World Labour Report 1997-1998, overall, trade union membership is on the decline around the world. Not all employers meet their employment obligations. Workers themselves sometimes show less interest in joining a union because of rising wages or because of restrictions on bargaining with their employers. However, the report also showed that in many areas, unions had maintained their influence and even consolidated their strength. Above all, there is a need to develop modern management practices and modern industrial relations institutions based on free association of employers and workers.