Personal, administrative and support services

Personal, administrative, and support services brings together a set of service activities that are widespread in labour markets but often under-recognized in policy: hairdressing and beauty care; private security; cleaning services; call centres and customer contact/BPO; and private employment agencies. The ILO’s support to this category encompasses addressing sector-specific decent work gaps, such as OSH risks, skills and certification needs, gender inequalities, and adequate working conditions.

These activities are major job providers across income levels and entry points into the labour market, especially for women, migrants and young workers. For example, private security employs millions worldwide—ILO estimates show 4.8 million workers in 86 countries (pre-2020).

In the European Union, in 2019, about 1.7 million persons were employed as hairdressers and beauticians; 86 per cent of them were women.

Call centres and BPO (business processing operations) remain a fast-growing employer.

Sectoral Policies (SECTOR)

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