The G20 and the COVID-19 pandemic
Global action to beat COVID-19 crisis vital to prevent employment disaster, ILO tells G20 ministers
More needs to be done to protect workers and support businesses, particularly in low and middle income countries, the ILO Director-General has told labour ministers.

© Vyacheslav Oseledko / AFP
“As the crisis spreads to low and middle income countries we will need to do much more to protect workers and support enterprises, because these countries are less prepared for a protracted crisis. Otherwise, the combination of large informal economies and low social protection coverage will spell disaster for people and economies,” Ryder said.
As the crisis spreads to low and middle income countries we will need to do much more to protect workers and support enterprises."
Guy Ryder
In a statement issued after their virtual Extraordinary Meeting on April 23, the G20 Ministers committed themselves to take “in full global cooperation…a human-centred approach to promote employment, bolster social protection, stabilize labour relations and promote the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.”
Respecting workers’ fundamental rights and effective dialogue with workers’ and employers’ organizations is the only way to create a solid, equitable, global recovery, and ensure the public support needed to carry the measures through."
Guy Ryder
“Respecting workers’ fundamental rights and effective dialogue with workers’ and employers’ organizations is the only way to create a solid, equitable, global recovery, and ensure the public support needed to carry the measures through,” he said.
The ILO has proposed an integrated, four pillar policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes support for the economy and employment; support for enterprises, jobs and incomes; protection for those working during lockdowns and as economies reopen, and the use of social dialogue.