IP/09/498
Brussels, 30 March 2009
The European Commission discusses the social dimension of the crisis with G8 Labour Ministers and their counterparts from emerging economies in Rome
Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner Vladimír Špidla is meeting with ministerial counterparts from the eight largest economies in the world and the main emerging economies to discuss the social dimension of the economic crisis. The 2009 G8 Social Summit is taking place in Rome, Italy from 29-31 March and its discussions will feed into the G20 meeting of world leaders in London on 2 April.
Commissioner Špidla said: "The economic crisis is a global crisis and is hitting labour markets around the world. We need to find global solutions to tackle its social impacts and to help people who are losing their jobs. Our priority has to be to keep people in work wherever possible and to maintain and improve their skills so they can find new jobs. By coordinating our action at a global level we can make sure that the human dimension is at the centre of discussions on improving international governance."
The 2009 Social summit brings together employment and social affairs ministers from the G8 (USA, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, the UK and Russia), the G5 (India, China, South Africa, Brazil and Mexico) and Egypt. The European Commission participates on behalf of the European Union. The International Labour Organisation (ILO), Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) are also invited.
The focus of this year's meeting is the human dimension of the economic crisis and its conclusions will feed into the discussions at the G20 London summit on improving global governance as well as at the G8 summit at La Maddalena, Italy in July. Ministers will discuss and examine measures for coping with unemployment, in particular how to support household income, and finding new jobs for workers who have lost theirs. Proceedings begin with a meeting with international social partners' organisations.
The G8 employment and social affairs ministers have met annually since 1994 to discuss common labour problems and to contribute to the main G8 leaders' summit.
For further information
FAQs G8
International aspects of employment and social affairs