I.L.O. warning to Europeans

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33434, 16 January 1974, Page 13

I.L.O. warning to Europeans

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

GENEVA, January 15.

A senior officer of the International Labour Organisation said in Geneva yesterday that there were still vast opportunities for social progress in Europe, in spite of the serious unemployment there, and the w ages problems aggravated by the energy crisis.

Mr Arturo Munox Ledo, the Mexican chairman of the 1.L.0. executive, told delegates representing governments, workers, and employers of nearly 30 European countries that social conflict was caused not so much by actual deprivation, as by resentment at the unfair distribution of wealth.

Speaking at the opening of a 10-day regional conference 'discussing Europe’s growing problems of industrial discontent. Mr Munox Ledo said ■that conflict in European industry had as much to do with human dignity, job : satisfaction and equality in I employment, as with mere ; money matters.

( Arguing that “economic i growth and affluence based

on the depersonalisation of' work and the dehumanisation of life clearly breeds con- i flict,” he said: “We must re-; define some vital correctives to what we have come to; understand as development." Mr Munoz Ledo also: warned the delegates that! Europe might soon be faced with a situation already'( familiar in developing countries: unemployment among the educated; long delays between graduation and the first job; and, above all, employment of graduates in jobs for which higher education was not necessary. Ireland’s Minister of Labour (Mr Michael O’Leary) was unanimously elected chairman of the conference.!