Specifically, Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong will describe the programmes formulated to save jobs, improve workers' skills so as to keep them employable, and help the jobless, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said in a statement yesterday.

Mr Gan will give his speech next Tuesday at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conference, during which he will also talk about the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (Spur), as well as other tripartite efforts by the Government, employers and unions to tackle the recession.

The $650 million Spur scheme helps workers to go for training by subsidising their course fees and salaries.

Mr Gan is leading a tripartite delegation to the annual conference in Geneva. The group left yesterday and will return next Tuesday.

Delegates include National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) secretary-general Lim Swee Say, president John De Payva and deputy secretary-general Halimah Yacob.

Also part of the group are Singapore National Employers Federation president Stephen Lee and executive director Koh Juan Kiat.

In Geneva, Mr Gan will meet and exchange views with his counterparts from other countries.

This year's conference focuses on the impact of the global crisis on employment and social policies.

ILO will kick off its inaugural Summit on the Global Jobs Crisis on Monday. At the three-day event, heads of state and labour ministers, as well as leaders of employer and worker groups, will discuss how the crisis has affected the job market.