UNI's first Social Insurance global union meeting has called for action to tackle the underlying causes of the current social unrest in parts of France.

The conference - meeting at UNI head offices in Nyon Switzerland - urged unions to campaign against discrimination, particularly as it affects and excludes young people.

Delegates called for action to improve living and working conditions for all citizens and urged a re-think of urban policies that have created ghettos -'helping to marginalise their inhabitants'.

Improved and more accessible public services and developing a policy of integration, in particular aimed at the schools, were called for.

'Inequality, insecurity, unemployment and poverty are a breeding ground for extremism and violence,' said the successful motion.

The urban violence indicates a climate of tension and feelings of exclusion and injustice among a part of the population that is too often stigmatised.

Some 22 delegates from 11 countries from around the world spent two days looking at the future of social insurance structures and ways of building union strength and activities in the sector.