CEO of Labour Relations Agency to represent Canada at International Labour Conference

Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, announced today that Joe O誰eill, chief executive officer of the new Labour Relations Agency will be an official Canadian spokesperson at the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

The conference is an annual event that brings together delegates of member countries of the International Labour Organization as well as delegates from employers and workers organizations for meetings and discussions on labour matters of global significance.

"This is an excellent forum for our province to contribute to international issues in a meaningful way," said Minister Burke. "Mr. O誰eill will have the opportunity as well to develop relationships with his counterparts in other countries which has proven to be invaluable to work done at the provincial level."

Mr. O誰eill, in his former position as deputy minister of the Department of Labour, attended the International Labour Conference last year as a member of the Committee of Experts on Labour Standards. That committee discussed conditions of work in the fishing sector. This year, Mr. O誰eill will speak to the Canadian position on labour standards in the fishing sector. The goal is to set standards and raise awareness

"It is very encouraging that the ILO has determined that special attention be given to the fishing sector, particularly as it pertains to regulations and standards," said Mr. O誰eill. "The fishing industry is noted for having some of the highest accident and fatality rates of any industry in the world. Given the prominence of the fishing sector in Newfoundland and Labrador, there is a level of knowledge and experience that we can bring to the table as we represent Canada痴 position on regulations and standards to protect those who earn their living on board vessels all over the world."

The International Labour Conference will run from May 31 to June 11 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Media contact: Jacquelyn Howard, Communications, (709) 729-4062

2004 05 27                                        3:40 p.m.