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Minister for Manpower Mr Gan Kim Yong is leading a tripartite delegation to attend the 98th Session of the International Labour Conference from 12 to 16 June 2009 in Geneva, Switzerland.

2 The delegation comprises Mr John De Payva, President, National Trades Union Congress (NTUC); Mr Lim Swee Say, Secretary-General, NTUC; Mdm Halimah Yacob, Deputy Secretary-General, NTUC; Mr Stephen Lee, President, Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF); Mr Koh Juan Kiat, Executive Director, SNEF; and officials from the Ministry of Manpower.

3 This year's Conference will focus on the employment and social policy consequences of the global economic and financial crisis. Other topics to be discussed at the Conference include gender equality and other workplace practices.

4 During the Conference, the inaugural Summit on the Global Jobs Crisis will be held, in response to the widespread economic downturn. The summit, to be held from 15 to 17 June 2009, gathers heads of state, labour ministers, top representatives from employers' and workers' groups as well as other global opinion leaders to discuss the impact of the economic downturn on jobs and the employment market.

5 Mr Gan will address the Conference during this Summit on 16 June 2009[1]. He will touch on Singapore's efforts to address the economic downturn, especially in the area of saving jobs, enhancing workers' employability and helping the unemployed. He will also share with participants on the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR) and other efforts that Singapore's tripartite partners have undertaken to address the downturn.

6 While in Geneva, Mr Gan will also be holding bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other countries.