“Work for a brighter future” - The report’s implications for the EU
Key stakeholders discussed the report of the ILO Global Commission on the Future of Work and its implications for the EU.
26 February 2019
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A policy lunch organized by the Representation of the State of Nord Rhein-Westphalia to the EU reflected on the implications of the recommendations made by the Global Commission on the Future of work for the EU.
Thorben Albrecht, federal manager of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and member of the ILO Global Commission on the Future of Work, described the process which led to the recommendations made by the Commission in its report “Work for a brighter future”.
Guided by the idea behind the ILO’s mandate that social justice cannot be achieved without universal and lasting peace, the Commission reflected on the global drivers of change. Among these drivers, he cited technology, which is changing our economies, societies and the world of work, changing patterns of globalisation, and changing values and preferences of workers.
“What the future of work will look like, remains an open question,” said Mr Albrecht. “But it is clear that we need to develop human capabilities, fight gender inequality, invest more in the care, green and rural economies, and develop incentives for decent work.”
He pointed to the important role the EU can play in putting such a human-centred agenda into practice. The EU can promote decent work through its global policies, especially its trade policy.
In addition, some new forms of work, including platforms that organize crowd work, cannot be regulated solely by the EU Member States, and require international legislation, he explained, underlining the important role for the ILO and the EU.
Ruth Paserman, deputy Head of Cabinet of the EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, highlighted the close alignment between the recommendations made by the Global Commission in its report and the European Pillar of Social Rights.
The Pillar and the report are completely aligned on the importance of a universal entitlement to life-long learning, the need to support people through labour market transitions, and the issues of gender equality and access to social protection.
“The changes we are witnessing on the labour market can be for the better, but only if we take an active role and deepen the approach to decent work at all policy levels,” Mr Albrecht concluded.
Thorben Albrecht, federal manager of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and member of the ILO Global Commission on the Future of Work, described the process which led to the recommendations made by the Commission in its report “Work for a brighter future”.
Guided by the idea behind the ILO’s mandate that social justice cannot be achieved without universal and lasting peace, the Commission reflected on the global drivers of change. Among these drivers, he cited technology, which is changing our economies, societies and the world of work, changing patterns of globalisation, and changing values and preferences of workers.
“What the future of work will look like, remains an open question,” said Mr Albrecht. “But it is clear that we need to develop human capabilities, fight gender inequality, invest more in the care, green and rural economies, and develop incentives for decent work.”
He pointed to the important role the EU can play in putting such a human-centred agenda into practice. The EU can promote decent work through its global policies, especially its trade policy.
In addition, some new forms of work, including platforms that organize crowd work, cannot be regulated solely by the EU Member States, and require international legislation, he explained, underlining the important role for the ILO and the EU.
Ruth Paserman, deputy Head of Cabinet of the EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, highlighted the close alignment between the recommendations made by the Global Commission in its report and the European Pillar of Social Rights.
The Pillar and the report are completely aligned on the importance of a universal entitlement to life-long learning, the need to support people through labour market transitions, and the issues of gender equality and access to social protection.
“The changes we are witnessing on the labour market can be for the better, but only if we take an active role and deepen the approach to decent work at all policy levels,” Mr Albrecht concluded.