Overall global employment is expected to increase by around 40 million in 2008 and unemployment by 5 million, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

Minister for Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes said it has been noted that challenges facing different regions remained relatively unchanged.

Not only is there low impact of growth on job creation, but also concern that ongoing growth does not have substantial impact to reduce poverty, especially in the poor regions of the world, Fernandes said, referring to the report on global employment trends.

"To make long term inroad into unemployment and working poverty, it is essential that periods of high growth are better used to generate more decent and productive jobs. Reducing unemployment and working poverty through creation of such jobs should be viewed as a precondition for sustained economic growth," he added.

To a separate query, the minister said the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2008 is to provide for enhancing medical bonus from Rs 250 to 1,000.

Central government can revise the medical bonus, passed by Parliament recently.