Voices at Work

  1. Is the hollowing out of middle-skill jobs an unavoidable consequence of technological advancement?

    23 April 2015

    In a growing number of countries employment is becoming increasingly polarized: concentrated in the highest- and lowest-paying occupations with a hollowing out of middle-skilled jobs. Alongside this polarisation, we are encountering a worrying growth of income inequalities.

  2. Can social protection policies help end child labour?

    23 June 2014

    Social protection instruments can play an important role in reducing child labour by mitigating poverty and economic vulnerabilities and enhancing poor families’ resilience.

  3. How profitable is the exploitation of people? Sadly, extraordinarily so.

    28 May 2014

    The profits made from the exploitation of the 21 million men, women and children trapped in forced labour in today’s private economy is cause for alarm and immediate action.

  4. Transitioning from informality to the formal economy: realizing decent work for all

    02 April 2014

    The informal economy thrives in a context of high unemployment, underemployment, poverty, gender inequality and precarious work. How can we get to decent work from here?

  5. Accelerating economic growth: Fiscal consolidation versus employment-friendly policies

    20 February 2014

    Austerity measures in advanced economies have depressed aggregate demand and slowed growth, while failing to bring down high levels of public debt. Is there another way?

  6. Can trade liberalization and social progress go hand-in-hand?

    12 November 2013

    A new report by the ILO says trade agreements with labour provisions have increased significantly in the last two decades, which may provide more comprehensive commitments to enhancing workers’ rights.

  7. How can greening urban transport generate jobs and promote sustainable development?

    01 October 2013

    An affordable, green and efficient transportation sector may help provide workers better access to jobs, while lessening their carbon footprint and boosting productivity.

  8. © ILO Photo/K. Cassidy 2023
    Can minimum wages help rebalance the economy?

    12 August 2013

    Minimum wages can improve the lives of low-paid workers while also rebalancing national economies.

  9. © flickr Photo / Semilla Luz 2023
    Are economic stagnation and unemployment fueling social unrest?

    08 July 2013

    Using the Social Unrest Index, ILO's 2013 World of Work report looks at the root causes of social unrest around the world.

  10. © Flickr Photo / elminium 2023
    What’s the best way to set CEO pay?

    03 June 2013

    At a time of massive job losses, high unemployment, wage cuts and weakened economic growth, executive compensation has returned to, and in some cases exceeded, pre-recession levels.

  11. Can low-income countries afford social protection?

    30 April 2013

    Proposals to accelerate the establishment of social protection floors in low-income countries have gathered strength in the early years of the millennium. But is their goal a realistic one? Can they afford to implement sustainable social protection floors?