Sukti Dasgupta: "Quality work is key to protecting workers and boosting productivity"

SANTIAGO (OIT Noticias).- In this interview, Sukti Dasgupta, Director of the Conditions of Work and Equality Department at the ILO, shares her insights on the organization's efforts to promote work quality and address challenges both in the care economy and the worrisome issue of violence and harassment in the workplace. Granted during her first mission to Chile, Dasgupta highlights recent milestones, such as the historic resolution on decent work in the care economy and the growing adoption of Convention 190, emphasizing the importance of inclusive labour protection, social dialogue, and tailored approaches to support workers worldwide.

1. What is the current ILO agenda on promoting work quality as part of the Decent Work Agenda?

"Quality of work is a key aspect of the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda," says Sukti Dasgupta. "It relates to conditions of work that protect workers, improve their well-being, and contribute to enhancing the productivity of enterprises."

Dasgupta explains that the rapid technological changes in the world of work have led to greater diversity in working arrangements, requiring institutions and mechanisms of labour market governance to adapt. During the 2023 Recurrent Discussion on Labour Protection at the International Labour Conference (ILC), ILO constituents reached a consensus on ensuring inclusive and effective labour protection for all workers. "This must be founded on strong institutions of social dialogue and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining," she emphasizes.

Quality of work is a key aspect of the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda

She also outlines key initiatives under the ILO’s Work Quality Department:

• Preparing new labour standards for decent work in the platform economy, set for discussion at the ILC in 2025 and 2026.
• Establishing consensus on living wages, achieved during a tripartite meeting of experts in February 2024.
• Promoting gender equality and addressing intersectionality, with special attention to persons with disabilities, those affected by HIV/AIDS, and racial discrimination.
• Advancing decent work in the care economy, as deliberated at the ILC in 2024.
• Strengthening policies for fair labour migration and protecting workers' rights, including fair recruitment practices.
• Preventing violence and harassment in the workplace.

© OIT

© OIT

2. How is the ILO addressing the challenge of promoting decent work in the care economy?

"For the first time, decent work in the care economy was discussed at the ILC in 2024, culminating in a historic resolution," Dasgupta shares. The resolution reaffirmed that care work is essential for all other work and that urgent investment in the care economy is needed.

For the first time, decent work in the care economy was discussed at the ILC in 2024, culminating in a historic resolution

The resolution highlights that quality care services depend on decent work for care workers. However, many care workers, particularly domestic workers and migrants, experience poor working conditions. Dasgupta explains that the ILO's Governing Body has approved a four-pillar plan of action to address these challenges:

• Knowledge Development: Enhancing research and data collection on the care economy.
• Technical Advisory Services: Supporting constituents in designing integrated care policies grounded in the "5 R Framework" (recognize, reduce, redistribute, reward, and represent care work).
• Social Dialogue and Labour Standards: Encouraging the ratification and implementation of international labour standards relevant to the care economy.
• Global Leadership and Partnerships: Strengthening the ILO’s leadership through initiatives like the "South4Care" platform for South-South cooperation.

The ILO also plans a 2026 meeting of experts to assess gaps in international labour standards related to paternity and parental leave, guiding potential future actions.

© OIT

© OIT

3. Violence and harassment in the world of work is the focus of the latest ILO Convention, increasingly ratified in Latin America and the Caribbean. Beyond ratification, what are the key steps for effective implementation?

"Convention 190 has one of the fastest rates of ratification among ILO Conventions, with 45 ratifications to date," Dasgupta notes. She highlights Chile's milestone in ratifying C190 in June 2023 and its subsequent implementation through the Ley Karin, which entered into force in June 2024.

Through collective efforts and strong legal frameworks, we can build workplaces founded on dignity and respect.

To support effective implementation, Dasgupta outlines the ILO's key areas of technical assistance:

• Data Collection and Research: Providing evidence-based insights for legal and policy frameworks.
• Strengthening Legal Frameworks: Aligning national laws with C190 and offering capacity-building for authorities and social partners.
• Social Dialogue: Facilitating tripartism to develop and implement practical solutions.
• Awareness Campaigns: Engaging communities, workers, and employers to address the root causes of workplace violence and harassment.

"Violence and harassment have no place in the world of work," she concludes. "Through collective efforts and strong legal frameworks, we can build workplaces founded on dignity and respect."