ILO Chief Urges Employers to Provide Opportunities for Workers to Offer Skills and Be Productive

Guy Ryder, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), has called on employers worldwide to provide opportunities for people to offer their skills and be productive. Ryder's appeal comes as the world transitions towards low carbon sustainable development, as outlined in the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The ILO considers a safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work. Ryder's call is particularly relevant as the upcoming World Day for Safety and Health at Work will focus on the impacts of climate change on occupational safety and health.

The transition to greener and more inclusive growth is being supported by initiatives like GAIN, which unites research institutions and experts to analyze the social and employment outcomes of greening policies, and PAGE, which brings together five UN agencies to support countries in this path. The goal is to help guide future policymaking and ensure that the transition is fair and inclusive for workers.

As part of these efforts, the ILO is seeking to recruit a Project Technical Officer to provide technical expertise on just transition support and implementation of project activities in the interregional component of the IKI JET project in Asia. The project aims to support and accelerate a Just Energy Transition away from coal to renewable energy and other sustainable economic activities in the global south, contributing to a timely reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from coal.

The ILO is assisting countries in the Asia Pacific region in promoting a just transition through technical support, diagnostics, and capacity development, including through international knowledge exchanges and learning. The ILO's interregional component focuses on enhancing the capacities of stakeholders in coal regions in Asia to develop and implement just energy transition plans and policies, through a Community of Practice that facilitates peer learning and knowledge sharing on regionally relevant just transition topics.

Why this matters: Ryder's call for employers to provide opportunities for workers to offer their skills and be productive is critical as the world transitions to a more sustainable and inclusive economy. Ensuring a just transition that benefits workers and communities is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

The ILO's efforts to support a just transition in Asia and other regions demonstrate the organization's commitment to promoting decent work and sustainable development. By providing technical expertise, capacity building, and facilitating knowledge sharing, the ILO is helping to ensure that the transition to a greener economy is fair and inclusive for all workers.

Key Takeaways

• ILO calls on employers to provide opportunities for workers' skills and productivity.
• ILO considers safe and healthy work environment as a fundamental right at work.
• Initiatives like GAIN and PAGE support the transition to greener, inclusive growth.
• ILO seeks to recruit a Technical Officer for just energy transition in Asia.
• Ensuring a just transition is essential for achieving sustainable development goals.