About us

The Employment Policy Department promotes full and freely chosen employment by developing integrated policies that maximize the impact of economic growth and investment on labour market outcomes. In doing so, it supports a comprehensive agenda for employment that is inclusive, environmentally sustainable and gender sensitive. A key area of focus of the Department centres on providing technical support to member States in achieving the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, in particular, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

At the global level, the Department advocates and promotes policy frameworks and partnerships that aim at generating more and better quality employment opportunities. At the country level, it supports efforts by ILO constituents to develop, implement and monitor coordinated and context-specific policies and programmes that promote quality job creation through economic diversification and investment strategies, skills development and labour market policies to activate the most vulnerable groups and assist them in finding decent jobs. These include policies and programmes facilitating the transition of millions of people from the informal to the formal economy, and increasing employment and income opportunities in the rural economy.

The Department has three Branches:
Employment, Labour Market and Youth (EMPLAB): EMPLAB supports member States in developing and implementing policies for better employment outcomes. The Branch includes the Country Employment Policy Development and Coordination Unit, the Youth Employment Programme, and the Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth.

Skills and Employability (SKILLS): SKILLS conducts comparative research and provides policy guidelines and technical assistance to help constituents integrate skills development into national and sectoral development strategies.

Employment in Investments Branch (EMPINVEST): EMPINVEST promotes economic diversification and structural change for enhancing employment, productivity and inclusive growth.