• According to a new brief from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), a study covering 82 countries has found that one US dollar invested in closing this childcare policy gap could result in an average increase of US$3.76 in global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2035.
• Such investments could also lead to reductions in gender and other inequalities, generation of decent jobs, improvements in health and wellbeing, and help create a path to social justice.
  • The childcare policy gap refers to the period between the end of statutory childcare-related leave and the starting age for free, universal early childhood care and education or primary education.
  • Currently, this averages approximately 4.2 years globally.

 

About ILO

• International Labour Organization (ILO) is the only tripartite U.N. agency.
  • It brings together governments, employers and workers.
• ILO was established in 1919 by the Treaty of Versailles as an affiliated agency of the League of Nations.
• ILO became the first affiliated specialized agency of the United Nations in 1946.
• HQ- Geneva, Switzerland
• ILO has 187 member states.
  • India is a founder member of the International Labour Organization (since 1919).
• The ILO has four strategic objectives-
  • Promote and realize standards and fundamental principles and rights at work
  • Create greater opportunities for women and men to decent employment and income
  • Enhance the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all, and
  • Strengthen tripartism and social dialogue
• ILO received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969.