BERLIN, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Labor and employment ministers from the Group of Eight (G8) nations agreed Wednesday to support stronger ties between financial aid and social standards in developing countries.

    At the end of a three-day meeting in Dresden, Germany, the ministers said in a statement that years of effort had failed to bring about any meaningful social protection in these countries. They urged developing nations and emerging economies to improve social standards.

    "Strengthening and broadening of social protection (is) one of the most important tasks in the context of globalization processes," the statement said. It said the these standards are quite significant in curbing poverty and promoting economic and social development.

    To best adapt to the changes brought by globalization, "it is crucial to enhance flexibility and adequate labor market security for individuals," the statement said.

    "In a globally competitive world, individual countries need to be innovative. But every successful package requires well-designed employment regulations and contractual arrangements as well as adequate employment-oriented social protection," it noted.

    German Labor Minister Franz Muentefering, host of the meeting, said the G8 was unable to present concrete demands because setting minimum standards for social protection is under the jurisdiction of individual states.

    He said the only possibility was to make agreements and then canvas support for them to be followed.

    "Social protection means people shouldn't live in fear and misery. Aside from needing food and drink, they need social protection for the difficult periods in life," he said.

    Addressing the meeting Tuesday, Brazilian Social Welfare Minister Luis Marinho said that developing countries were doing all they could to improve conditions, calling on the G8 to do its part.

    The Dresden meeting was held one month before Germany plays host to a summit in the Baltic Sea resort of Heiligendamm.

    Labor ministers from the United States, Canada, Japan, Britain,France, Germany, Italy and Russia attended the meeting.

    Representatives from the European Commission, the International Labor Organization (ILO), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the World Bank were also present.