The International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, has urged G20 Labour and Employment Ministers to take decisive action to reduce inequalities, promote gender equality, and encourage diversity in the workplace.
At the high-level meeting hosted by Brazil in the city of Fortaleza from 25-26 July, the ministers agreed on a comprehensive set of measures to address global labour market challenges, ensure just transitions and promote decent work.
Similarly, they committed to creating quality jobs, fostering social inclusion, and eliminating hunger and poverty through coordinated social, economic, and environmental policies.
Giving the charge to address the increasingly worrisome problem of workplace inequality to the ministers at the meeting, the ILO Director-General said: “In a world that is constantly grappling with new challenges and crises, it is becoming clearer every day that we need to accelerate our efforts towards making social justice a reality for all. This requires a set of well-coordinated social policies, including social protection and other policies to ensure social inclusion.”
In his address, Houngbo also introduced the G20 Social Policy Portal, which was developed in collaboration with the International Social Security Association (ISSA), highlights the importance of universal social protection systems and strong labour market institutions to addressing inequalities and promoting sustainable development.
The Director-General also praised the Brazilian Presidency’s launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, noting that “joining this Alliance is not just a moral imperative, but a crucial step towards building a more equitable and sustainable world of work.”
Speaking about the use of technologies as a means of improving everyone’s quality of life, ILO Deputy Director-General, Celeste Drake, stressed that taking advantage of and harnessing these technologies in the workplace meant respecting fundamental principles and rights at work and encouraging social dialogue.
The labour expert also announced the launch of an ILO Observatory on AI and Work in the Digital Economy in September and a forthcoming standard-setting discussion in 2025 on decent work in the platform economy.
The Director-General also took part in the Just Transition Leadership Forum, where he highlighted the importance of building just transition pathways to achieve decent work and social justice.
The forum emphasized the urgent need for G20 leaders, governments, employers, and workers’ organizations to take joint action in addressing the social impacts of climate change on labour markets.
On gender equality which was also on the agenda of the meetings, the ministers in attendance reaffirmed their commitment to reducing the gender gap in labour market participation in line with the so-called Brisbane Target, which aims to reduce the gender gap in labour market participation rates by 25 per cent by 2025 and accelerate progress on gender equality.
Speaking on the way forward at the Equal Pay International Coalition’s (EPIC’s) sidelines event at the meeting, Drake canvassed: “Looking ahead towards achieving the Brisbane Goal in 2025, countries should continue consolidating efforts to advance gender equality and create more inclusive and equitable societies.”
She underlined the need for increased focus on improving women’s income security, addressing gender pay gaps, and enhancing conditions for paid care work.
In their closing Declaration, the ministers recognized the critical role of fair wage policies and robust labour market institutions in addressing global employment challenges. They reaffirmed their commitment to the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda, which encompasses job creation, fair wages, labour rights, and social protection.
The Declaration also took note of the ILO’s Global Coalition for Social Justice, which has the potential to accelerate efforts to reduce inequalities worldwide.
