The future of work Centenary initiative

The world of work is undergoing a major process of change. There are several forces transforming it, from the onward march of technology and the impact of climate change to the changing character of production and employment, to name a few. In order to understand and to respond effectively to these new challenges ILO Director-General Guy Ryder has launched a Future of Work initiative.

The ILO needs to understand and to respond effectively to the world of work ongoing changes in order to be able to advance its mandate for social justice. The unit in charge of the Future of Work initiative seeks to involve the ILO's tripartite constituency fully and universally, but also to reach beyond them to the academic world and to all other relevant and interested actors.

2016

A broad framework is needed to give the future of work Centenary initiative the necessary structure and focus for concrete results to be obtained. In 2016 all ILO members States are invited to undertake national "future of work" dialogues structured around four “centenary conversations”:
  • Work and society
  • Decent jobs for all
  • The organization of work and production
  • The governance of work

2017-18

In 2017 the Global Commission on the Future of Work is established. Its purpose will be to examine the output from the national dialogues and other input it may consider necessary. The Commission will publish a report and recommendations in the course of 2018.

2019

In the first half of 2019, all member States will be invited to organize events to mark the ILO's Centenary and to discuss the Commission's report. The culmination of the "Future of Work" initiative will be the 2019 International Labour Conference, with the possible adoption of a Centenary Declaration.