ILO calls on G20 for international solidarity to close the global decent work divide

ILO Director-General Calls on G20 Ministers to Address Global Labour Market Challenges

GENEVA (ILO News) – The ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, has called on G20 Labour and Employment Ministers to tackle skills gaps, invest in social protection systems for all, and embrace sustainable financing mechanisms for employment and social protection policies to close growing fractures in the global labour market and reduce inequalities.

Main Topics of the Ministers’ Meeting

1. Addressing the global skills gaps
2. Extending social protection to platform and gig workers
3. Sustainably financing national social protection systems

Ministers agreed on specific policy priorities to accelerate progress on the first two challenges and on a set of policy options regarding the third.

Houngbo emphasized that the global employment divide is deepening, especially in low-income countries. To promote social justice and address this situation, he called for mobilizing more global resources. Initiatives such as the UN Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions play a crucial role in providing technical and financial support. These endeavors should be part of a broader reform of the international financial architecture to make more resources available for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Houngbo highlighted the progress made in achieving the Antalya Youth target of reducing the share of young people at risk of being permanently left behind in the labour market. The NEET rate (young people aged 15 to 29 who are Not in Employment, Education or Training) is back to or below its pre-pandemic level, and 12 G20 members are on track to achieve the target. However, to further progress and address gender inequality, action must focus on promoting more and better employment for youth. This includes investing in economic sectors with high youth employment potential, improving the quality of employment, and providing incentives for labour market participation. Investments in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), quality apprenticeships, and combining active labour market policies with income support are also crucial to reach the most disadvantaged youth.

The Ministers discussed ways to address skills gaps to increase productivity, wages, and firms’ capabilities to innovate or deploy new technologies. The ILO called for a common language on skills and qualifications to facilitate cross-country comparability and mutual recognition. The ILO, in collaboration with the OECD, will launch a feasibility study for a global skills taxonomy by the end of 2026. Additionally, the ILO welcomed the extension of the coverage of the ILO and OECD Skills for Jobs Databases to all G20 countries and beyond. This will improve the availability, granularity, timeliness, and international comparability of data on skills, occupations, and qualifications, contributing to closing skills gaps globally.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
   • Indicator: The article mentions the need to invest in social protection systems for all to reduce inequalities in the global labor market.

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
   • Indicator: The article discusses the importance of investing in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to reach disadvantaged youth and improve their employment prospects.

3. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
   • Indicator: The article highlights the need to tackle gender inequality by promoting more and better employment for youth and improving the quality of employment.

4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation, including through a focus on high-value-added and labor-intensive sectors.
   • Indicator: The article mentions the need to address skills gaps to increase productivity and wages, as well as to enhance firms’ capabilities to innovate and deploy new technologies.

5. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.
   • Indicator: The article emphasizes the importance of sustainable financing mechanisms for employment and social protection policies to reduce inequalities in the global labor market.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: ilo.org

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