Text of statement on discrimination in the workplace, prepared in May 2003 by Juan Somavia, Director General of the ILO

InFocus Programme on Promoting the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work

International Labour Organization

Somavia, Juan

English

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Cornell University ILR School 
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Nondiscrimination 
May 2003 
ILO Director General’s Message on Discrimination 
Juan Somavia 
InFocus Programme on Promoting the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at 
Work 
International Labour Organization 
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ILO Director General’s Message on Discrimination 
Abstract 
Text of statement on discrimination in the workplace, prepared in May 2003 by Juan Somavia, Director 
General of the ILO. 
Keywords 
action, Catherwood, convention, Cornell, declaration, disability, discrimination employment, fundamental, 
gender, global, globalization, human, ILR, implementation, international, labor, labour, law, legislation, 
nations organization, organization, pay, portal, principles, programme, race, racial rights, united, university, 
work, workers, workplace 
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ILO Director General’s Message
Juan Somavia  – May 2003
Freedom from discrimination is an enabling right.  Yet, discrimination at work is a daily reality for
hundreds of millions of people around the world. They find the doors of opportunity and
advancement closed because of race or religion - not talents.  Because of age - not capabilities.
Because of colour - not competence.  And all of this is compounded, of course, by gender
discrimination.
This hard truth is at the heart of the ILO's new global report on discrimination at work. 
The report shows that workplace discrimination takes many forms.  It details how women
everywhere earn less than men, even when they are equally or more qualified.  It highlights how
women, minorities, people with disabilities and older workers are more likely to be
unemployed - and out of a job longer.  It illustrates  how people with disabilities and migrant
workers are often the last hired and the first fired.  It documents that women and men who
suffer from discrimination tend to get trapped in dirty, dangerous and demeaning jobs.   
The report also makes clear that discrimination comes at a heavy price.  For individuals, it erodes
self esteem and breeds a sense of frustration and powerlessness. For enterprise, it undermines
productivity and saps potential.  For society, it perpetuates poverty and social exclusion and can
lead to destabilization. 
We have made progress.  Today, formal condemnation of discrimination is virtually universal and
action to stop discrimination at work has been taken in many places. But we have a long way to
go on the road to equality.  Let me briefly mention three key points from this report.
First, the workplace is a strategic entry point for tackling discrimination. Drawing on the strength
of the community of work and a process of dialogue, there is great mobilizing potential to fight
discrimination in and through the workplace. Well defined institutions, processes and practices
govern the labour market. They can help achieve diversity with social justice. 
Second, the challenge is greater because we are dealing with a moving target.  Over time, old
forms of discrimination, such as race, sex or religion, acquire more subtle expressions; and "new"
forms, such as discrimination based on age or disability emerge. 
Third, everyone has a role to play.  Governments, employers, workers, and citizens all have a stake
in achieving equality at work.  We need to take deliberate and sustained action at many  levels and
in different areas that connect with the workplace.  We must be able to assess progress and
monitor new forms of discrimination. And we have to be strong and persistent advocates.
Simply put, discrimination has no place in the workplace.  Economically, socially and politically,
we simply cannot afford discrimination at work.   It's time to end it - once and for all.
St
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International
Labour Office
InFocus Programme on Promoting the
Declaration on Fundamental Principles 
and Rights at Work
WORK IN FREEDOM


ILO Director General’s Message on Discrimination

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ILO Director General’s Message on Discrimination

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