Global efforts to combat discrimination could be placed at risk as a result of the economic downturn, it has been warned.

According to the International Labour Office (ILO), it is important to remain vigilant in order to tackle barriers to certain groups in the workplace.

In a new study, the body noted that the risk of discrimination has increased among some demographics, such as migrant employees, as a result of the economic and social crisis.

The Global Report on Equality at Work 2011 also highlighted the positive advances that have made in terms of legislation to tackle the issue in recent decades.

Discrimination on multiple grounds has become more commonplace in recent years, while downturns tend to lead to policies and workers' rights in this area having a lower priority.

ILO director-general Juan Somavia commented: "Economically adverse times are a breeding ground for discrimination at work and in society more broadly. We see this with the rise of populist solutions."

Last month, the ILO published research suggesting that Asian nations are being presented with a "window of opportunity" to combat gender inequality within their labor markets as they recover from the financial crisis.

Posted by Lee Thrace