The director-general of the International Labour Organisation, Guy Ryder, has condemned “the unprovoked and unjustifiable” attack by Russia against Ukraine.

“This stands among the darkest chapters in the ILO’s century long history and a brutal repudiation of our organization’s mission to promote peace through social justice,” said Mr Ryder in a statement on Thursday when he joined the UN General Assembly in deploring Russian Invasion of Ukraine.

“Those responsible for the aggression know full well that among its first victims will be working people and that the devastation of jobs, enterprises and livelihoods will be massive and endure for many years.”

The ILO chief recalled that the UN Secretary-General António Guterres had warned that due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine the world would face the biggest global peace and security crisis in recent years.

“The ILO’s duty is to stand in solidarity with the government, workers, and employers of Ukraine and to join with the rest of the United Nations system in providing all possible assistance to them,” he added. “To our revulsion and outrage as horrified witnesses to events unfolding in Ukraine, we must add the determination to act practically to bring them to an end. Goals pursued through aggression and violation of human rights must not prevail. Our responsibility is to meet our obligations to the Ukrainian people.”

(NAN)