Somavia noted that some 80 percent of the world's work force live in developing countries, so new jobs are especially needed in that part of the world.

    The director-general was speaking in an address to the 95th International Labor Conference, which is participated by more than 4,000 delegates representing governments, workers and employers from the ILO's member states.

    "That job creation challenge comes on top of the pressure of a continuing large scale shift out of agriculture and rural areas toward cities, pushed by poverty and pulled by the hope of a better job," he said.

    According to Somavia, the global economy is not delivering enough decent jobs that people need.

    "Despite the many benefits of globalization, we see again and again how the dignity of work has been devalued," he said.

    He pointed out that economic optimism for some was matched with profound social pessimism for many.

    "This is why we must put in place policies that replace jobless growth with quality, 'job-rich' growth," he said.

    Somavia cited the service economy as a "major growth area for employment", adding "this is linked to another virtually global phenomenon - skill shortages side-by-side with rising unemployment."

    He said the hardware of the new technologies was spreading much faster than the human software of manager and worker skills to make full use of its potential.

    Among other challenges facing the global economy was the need to come to terms with an aging population, discrimination, migration and the fact that six out of 10 workers in the world lack social protection, Somavia said.

    The 95th International Labor Conference opened at Geneva's Palace of Nations on May 31.

    The two-week meeting is focusing on a wide range of issues including changing patterns in the world of work, child labor, occupational safety and health, the employment relationship, labor inspection and a review of labor standards in a number of countries. Enditem