With regard to wages and income from work, the report tells of a gradual recovery between 1990 and 2000. This can be seen in an increase in annual real wages of 1.8 per cent and in minimum wages of 0.9 per cent. "However, industrial wages are now equivalent in real terms to those of 1980, and minimum wages only 74 per cent of the minimum wage of 20 years ago."
"Whatever methodology is used to measure this", says Somavia, "the pattern of income distribution in Latin America is the most unequal in the world."
In referring to deficits in social protection, the report warns that two-thirds of the active population in the Latin American region is outside the social security system, whether health-care provision or pensions. The situation is particularly serious for economically active women, 80 per cent of whom are not protected by social security institutions, according to ILO estimates.
With respect to occupational accidents, the report warns that in Latin America and the Caribbean 27,000 people a year die as a result of accidents at the workplace. "This represents 13.5 for every 100,000 people employed."
"Whatever methodology is used to measure this", says Somavia, "the pattern of income distribution in Latin America is the most unequal in the world."
In referring to deficits in social protection, the report warns that two-thirds of the active population in the Latin American region is outside the social security system, whether health-care provision or pensions. The situation is particularly serious for economically active women, 80 per cent of whom are not protected by social security institutions, according to ILO estimates.
With respect to occupational accidents, the report warns that in Latin America and the Caribbean 27,000 people a year die as a result of accidents at the workplace. "This represents 13.5 for every 100,000 people employed."