ILO Director-General Juan Somavia will provide delegates with an overview of ILO issues and concerns in an address on June 5.

    He will also present a new report on "Changing Patterns in the World of Work," which provides a global perspective on the main features of the transformation of work and the challenges it presents to the goal of decent employment for all.

    The two-week conference, with the participation of some 3,000 delegates from the organization's 178 member states, will also provide a central focus for global activities on the World Day Against Child Labor on June 12.

    Delegates are expected to consider the possible adoption of an International Labor Recommendation, on the basis of a debate on employment relationship at the 2003 session of the International Labor Conference.

    The draft proposes to members the formulation and adoption, in consultation with social partners, of a national policy that aims at guaranteeing effective protection for workers.

    The role of the International Labour Conference is to adopt and oversee compliance with international labor standards, establish the budget of the organization and elect members of the governing body.

    Since 1919, the conference has been serving as a major international forum for debate on social and labor questions of worldwide importance.

    Delegates to the conference include labor ministers and leaders of workers' and employers' associations in member states.

    Each members has the right to send four delegates to the conference: two from government and one each representing workers and employers, each of whom may speak and vote independently. Enditem