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Abstract: The report highlights key gender gaps and obstacles to decent work for women. It explores the structural barriers, including unpaid care work, that shape the nature and extent of women’s engagement in paid employment, and examines how laws, policies and practices in certain countries have addressed them. The report also outlines the measures that can and should be taken to seize the opportunities presented by the changing world of work.

Abstract: This study on Italy shows that the initial responses to the economic crisis in Italy were designed with the participation of the social partners and focused on supporting small and medium–sized enterprises (SMEs). At the local level, an agreement was concluded between the Government and the regional administrations to strengthen the Wages Guarantee Fund (CIG), a special public fund used to protect workers’ income. The authors contend that the measures were successful in retaining emplo ...; [Read more...] This study on Italy shows that the initial responses to the economic crisis in Italy were designed with the participation of the social partners and focused on supporting small and medium–sized enterprises (SMEs). At the local level, an agreement was concluded between the Government and the regional administrations to strengthen the Wages Guarantee Fund (CIG), a special public fund used to protect workers’ income. The authors contend that the measures were successful in retaining employment and demonstrated the ability to address challenges through social concertation.

Abstract: The current wave of technological change based on advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) has created widespread fear of job losses and further rises in inequality. This paper discusses the rationale for these fears, highlighting the specific nature of AI and comparing previous waves of automation and robotization with the current advancements made possible by a wide-spread adoption of AI. It argues that large opportunities in terms of increases in productivity can ensue, includin ...; [Read more...] The current wave of technological change based on advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) has created widespread fear of job losses and further rises in inequality. This paper discusses the rationale for these fears, highlighting the specific nature of AI and comparing previous waves of automation and robotization with the current advancements made possible by a wide-spread adoption of AI. It argues that large opportunities in terms of increases in productivity can ensue, including for developing countries, given the vastly reduced costs of capital that some applications have demonstrated and the potential for productivity increases, especially among the low-skilled. At the same time, risks in the form of further increases in inequality need to be addressed if the benefits from AI-based technological progress are to be broadly shared.

Abstract: The global economic and financial crisis, which has predictably turned into a major employment crisis, forms the background to the third Global Report on discrimination. The aim of the Report is to provide a dynamic picture of trends over the last four years and present some findings, conclusions and recommendations for future action by the ILO and its constituents. On the positive side, there is more legislation, there are more institutional initiatives, and, in general, a growing awa ...; [Read more...] The global economic and financial crisis, which has predictably turned into a major employment crisis, forms the background to the third Global Report on discrimination. The aim of the Report is to provide a dynamic picture of trends over the last four years and present some findings, conclusions and recommendations for future action by the ILO and its constituents. On the positive side, there is more legislation, there are more institutional initiatives, and, in general, a growing awareness of the need to overcome discrimination at work. However, capacity does not keep pace with the political will, and a prolonged economic downturn exposes structural weaknesses and even aggravates structural discrimination. Furthermore, the agenda of discrimination at work is continuously diversifying, and new challenges arise where old ones remain at best only partially answered.

Abstract: Incorporating the most recent labour market information available, Global Employment Trends for Youth sets out the youth labour market situation around the world. It shows where progress has or has not been made, updates world and regional youth labour market indicators, and gives detailed analyses of medium-term trends in youth population, labour force, employment and unemployment.

The 2020 edition discusses the implications of technological change for the nature of jobs available ...; [Read more...] Incorporating the most recent labour market information available, Global Employment Trends for Youth sets out the youth labour market situation around the world. It shows where progress has or has not been made, updates world and regional youth labour market indicators, and gives detailed analyses of medium-term trends in youth population, labour force, employment and unemployment.

The 2020 edition discusses the implications of technological change for the nature of jobs available to young people. It focuses on shifts in job characteristics, sectors and skills, as well as examining the impact of technological change on inequalities in youth labour markets.

Abstract: This book is the first comprehensive account of the International Labour Organization’s 100-year history. At its heart is the concept of global social policy, which encompasses not only social policy in its national and international dimensions, but also development policy, world trade, international migration and human rights. The 2020 edition discusses the implications of technological change for the nature of jobs available to young people. It focuses on shifts in job characteristic ...; [Read more...] This book is the first comprehensive account of the International Labour Organization’s 100-year history. At its heart is the concept of global social policy, which encompasses not only social policy in its national and international dimensions, but also development policy, world trade, international migration and human rights. The 2020 edition discusses the implications of technological change for the nature of jobs available to young people. It focuses on shifts in job characteristics, sectors and skills, as well as examining the impact of technological change on inequalities in youth labour markets.

Abstract: Climate change and environmental degradation are jeopardizing the sustainability of many kinds of economic activity around the globe. At the same time, moving towards a greener economy is creating opportunities for new technologies, investment and jobs. This is the message of the Green jobs report (2008), which estimated that efforts to tackle climate change could result in the creation of millions of new “green jobs” in the coming decades. This assessment was made as part of the Green ...; [Read more...] Climate change and environmental degradation are jeopardizing the sustainability of many kinds of economic activity around the globe. At the same time, moving towards a greener economy is creating opportunities for new technologies, investment and jobs. This is the message of the Green jobs report (2008), which estimated that efforts to tackle climate change could result in the creation of millions of new “green jobs” in the coming decades. This assessment was made as part of the Green Jobs Initiative, a joint effort launched by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), the International Organization of Employers (IOE) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) to help governments and social partners turn this potential for decent work into reality by aligning environment and employment objectives. As part of this Green Jobs Initiative, the ILO Skills and Employability Department defined a global research project to investigate skill needs for greener economies. A series of 21 country studies was conducted in partnership with the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop), a European Union agency located in Thessaloniki, Greece. The global synthesis of these countries’ experience was prepared by the ILO. Cedefop conducted the research on the six EU countries included in the study, and also published a separate summary of their findings. The analysis of countries’ experience revealed that skill shortages already constrain the transition to a greener economy – in terms of preparing for some new occupations and in terms of changing the skill profile of a large number of occupations. The research also documented the need to provide opportunities for acquiring new skills to those who are at risk of losing jobs in high-emissions industries. Countries’ experiences in adapting training provision to meet all of these needs vary. Some countries are developing innovative strategies and policies to proactively anticipate and address emerging skill needs; others adjust existing mechanisms and systems on a more ad hoc basis. The report has assembled case studies across a wide spectrum of challenges, documenting a broad array of approaches to promote the transition to greener workplaces with sustainable, productive and decent employment.

Abstract: If the recent global economic crisis has debilitated labour in many parts of the world, many segments of the trade union movement have been fighting back, combining traditional and innovative strategies and articulating alternatives to the dominant political and economic models. This book offers a composite overview of the responses of trade unions and other workers’ organizations to neoliberal globalization in general and to the recent financial crisis in particular.