International Labor Organization (ILO) Conference - Our Desired Future
ILO's Future of Work Event Highlights Key Issue Discussions
The International Labour Organization's (ILO) two-day event, "The Future of Work We Want," taking place in Geneva on April 6-7, will see General Secretary Philip Jennings play a prominent role in the session on Work and Society.
Among the 700 attendees from various global locations, including UNI's Philip Jennings and Christina Colclough, will gather for high-level discussions on work and society, decent jobs for all, the organization of work and production, and governance of work. Jennings will speak during the first session on Work and Society.
In anticipation, Jennings expressed, "I am eager to present UNI Global Union's perspectives to a wider audience. Our stance is unequivocal; we know what needs to be done. Our societies could face detrimental effects if the privatization of work continues, leaving workers bereft of social protection, struggling with poverty-line wages, and limited prospects."
Rising concerns over the potential for increased social stratification, both within and between countries, necessitate contemplating the future of work over the long term and steering this evolution towards social justice. The ILO acknowledges the current challenges, such as demographic shifts, technological advancements, economic stagnation, and the changing nature of work.
Although the transformations underway demand foresight, the ILO aims to contemplate the future of work to address these challenges. Philomena Kosamollan, ILO Director-General, remarked, "We must imagine the future of work in the long term to guide evolution towards social justice. The widespread concerns about future polarization call for urgent attention to our efforts."
In the spirit of social justice, attendees will address underlying topics relating to social protection, individualization of work, emerging labor issues, and the promotion of decent work opportunities.
For instance, ensuring robust social protection systems is crucial for workers, particularly in light of emerging employment trends such as the gig economy. To promote a resilient future of work among vulnerable populations, the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions aims to enhance social protection floors.
The ILO also emphasizes addressing the challenges posed by the individualization of work, which is spurred by technological innovation and the growing prevalence of digital labor platforms. To ensure fair labor practices and protect workers in alternative arrangements, the organization calls for a human-centered approach to labor.
Amid the rising concerns about artificial intelligence, climate change, and digital labor, the ILO underscores the necessities of skills development and lifelong learning to prepare workers for the changes ahead. The initiative also advocates for addressing the gig economy's implications for workers' rights, protections, and the need for clear regulations and social dialogue.
In conclusion, the ILO's Future of Work initiative underlines the importance of protecting and empowering workers within the rapidly transforming labor landscape. The initiative emphasizes social justice, human rights, and decent work for all to ensure that workers thrive as the world proceeds.
attendees can follow the live webcast of the event here.
References:[1] ILO (2019). World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends for Youth 2019.[2] ILO (2019). Global Commission on the Future of Work.[3] ILO (2018). World Employment and Social Outlook: Greening with Jobs 2018.[4] ILO (2019). ILO centenary initiative on the Future of Work.[5] ILO (n.d.). Future of Work.
- Attendees at the ILO's Future of Work event will engage in discussions on various topics, including politics, business, and general-news, such as social protection, individualization of work, emerging labor issues, and the promotion of decent work opportunities, with the aim of steering the evolution of work towards social justice.
- Speaking prior to the event, UNI Global Union's General Secretary, Philip Jennings, expressed his opinion that the privatization of work should be addressed, as it could lead to detrimental effects for workers, such as the lack of social protection, poverty-line wages, and limited prospects, emphasizing the need for robust discussions on these issues in the business and politics sectors.
%20Conference%20-%20Our%20Desired%20Future){kind=link}