Puntland, between a road and a hard place

N-B-5808

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Chief Technical Advisor in Somalia

To the outside world, the semi-autonomous Somali region of Puntland is largely known – if at all – for its pirates. But it has a lot more than that to offer.

Demands from leaders to deliver are high; rightly so. The ILO evidently has a key role to play in the region: every conversation turns to jobs and how to use whatever natural resources there may be in the barren landscape. There is a high probability of gas, if not oil, either inland or offshore. Continue reading

The balancing act of migration: the case of Bangladesh

Sameer  Khatiwada

Sameer Khatiwada

By Sameer Khatiwada, Economist, International Institute for Labour Studies

When I arrived at Shah Jalal InternationalAirport in Dhaka on a recent trip, I could not help but notice the hundreds of Bangladeshi migrants returning from abroad, clutching their many over-packed bags – no doubt filled with gifts for relatives. Their look of pride at having found prosperity was hard to miss. Continue reading

Tunisia, two years on

Raymond Torres

Raymond Torres

By Raymond Torres, Director of the ILO’s International Institute for Labour Studies

The fall of Tunisia’s authoritarian regime two years ago brought hopes of major change in the North African country. Today, some disenchantment can be felt. Continue reading