Global unemployment levels will be worse than previously predicted, dpa quoted the International Labour Organization as saying Today, revising upwards its previous numbers. According to the new data, unemployment could hit global rates between 6.5 per cent and 7.4 per cent. This would roughly be equal to 210 million and 239 million unemployed worldwide. The new data showed a projected increase of between 39 and 59 million unemployed, compared to previous estimates released earlier this year which said unemployment would rise by between 24 and 52 million people. The ILO warned that youth was being hit particularly hard. By 2015 around 300 million new jobs will have to be created just to absorb growth in labour force. The organization warned of an "impending labour crisis." While there were some predictions for economic recovery in 2010, the ILO said the job market would take longer to recover. "On average, it can take four to five years after a crisis starts for pre-crisis unemployment levels to be recuperated," ILO Director General Juan Somavia told reporters in Geneva. He warned of possible political unrest if unemployment increased and social nets were not there to catch the jobless. The rise in unemployment was "unprecedented," Somavia said, and more workers were at risk of losing their jobs and falling into poverty. The information was released ahead of next week's International Labour Conference in Geneva. At least ten heads of states were expected to attend, including France's Nicolas Sarkozy and Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
