Silvia Pugi brings the voice of managers to the International Labour Organisation’s Assembly
The annual assembly of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) took place at the United Nations Palace in Geneva from June 3 to 14 2024, attracting more than 4,900 delegates from 187 countries. Among the prominent attendees was Silvia Pugi, Deputy Secretary General of CEC European Managers and the Confederazione italiana dei dirigenti e delle alte professionalità – CIDA Manager representative on the ILO Italy tripartite committee.
The ILO remains steadfast in its mission to ensure decent working conditions and promote social justice worldwide. ILO‘s efforts are guided by the principles of the Philadelphia Declaration, which asserts that “all human beings, irrespective of race, creed, or sex, have the right to pursue both their material well-being and their spiritual development in conditions of freedom and dignity, of economic security, and equal opportunity.”
ILO‘s mandate encompasses three primary objectives. On the one hand, establishing and monitoring international conventions and recommendations to ensure minimum labour standards, so that countries move towards fairer societies. Protecting fundamental workers’ rights, including freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of forced and child labour, and non-discrimination is the second main goal, and the last one is encouraging social dialogue among governments, employers, and workers on labour issues through a tripartite approach.
All human beings, irrespective of race, creed, or sex, have the right to pursue both their material well-being and their spiritual development in conditions of freedom and dignity, of economic security, and equal opportunity.
Philadelphia Declaration
International Labour Organisation
ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo addressed the assembly, presenting a comprehensive overview of the global labour situation. He noted that global macroeconomic prospects are stable, with the International Monetary Fund projecting a global GDP growth of 3.2% for 2024 and 2025. Despite recovering pre-pandemic levels and declining inflation, geopolitical tensions in regions such as the Middle East, Gaza, Yemen, Sudan, Haiti, Ukraine, and Eastern Congo pose significant risks to this stability.
ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo
ILO projects a global unemployment rate of 4.9% for 2024 and 2025, a slight decrease from 5% in 2023. However, this rate does not account for those who have exited the labour market.
To address this, the “jobs gap” index has been introduced, which measures the number of people without jobs who are actively seeking employment. The jobs gap for women in low-income countries is 22.8%, compared to 15.3% for men, while in high-income countries, it is 9.7% for women and 7.3% for men. The global employment rate for women stands at 45.6%, significantly lower than the 69.2% for men, with a notable gender pay gap.
Technological innovation and sustainability are transforming the labour market. The spread of Artificial Intelligence has enhanced many professions, but significant investment in training and reskilling is essential to prevent widespread job displacement. Additionally, ecological policies must be implemented in a way that avoids creating poverty and social exclusion.
The assembly highlighted the ongoing struggle against informal employment. The number of informal workers has increased from 1.7 billion in 2005 to 2 billion in 2024.
ILO advocates for an equitable transition that allows small and medium enterprises and start-ups to move out of informality, renewing the social contract and embracing new forms of work and employment.
This year’s assembly set the stage for new regulations, anticipated for approval at the 2025 assembly:
- Regulation of Biological Hazards: The assembly initiated the process to establish the first international standard to protect workers from biological hazards. While there is currently no international regulation on this issue, ensuring access to a safe and healthy work environment has been elevated to a Fundamental Principle and Right at Work. Discussions will continue at the next conference, to adopt a new Convention and/or Recommendation.
- Care Economy: This sector, encompassing care for the elderly, sick, and children, often suffers from gender stereotypes, low wages, and precarious working conditions. The ILO aims to promote greater gender equality, value both private and public care, and ensure the equal sharing of care responsibilities between men and women. Building on experiences during COVID-19, a resolution was approved calling for an action plan to ensure decent work in this sector and recognize its importance for social and economic development.
- Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW): In response to crises and wars, the Committee identified four policy action areas: labour market governance, freedom of association and social dialogue, formalization and sustainable enterprises, and equality and inclusion.
- Application of Standards: The Committee’s report reviewed the application of several conventions in 24 countries, with a special session focusing on the situation in Belarus.
- Occupied Arab Territories: The assembly highlighted the critical situation of workers in Gaza, pledging approximately $10 million for an assistance program.
- Global Coalition for Social Justice: The inaugural forum of the Global Coalition for Social Justice was held during the conference, dedicated to advancing social justice globally and exploring the roles of other UN agencies and multilateral bodies such as the G7 and G20.
Looking ahead to the 2025 Conference, the agenda is set to address several key issues, such as the protection against biological hazards (standards definition), decent work in the platform economy (standards definition), innovative approaches to addressing informal work and promoting transitions to decent and contractual work and the Second World Summit for Social Development.
Overall, this edition of the assembly reaffirmed its commitment to promoting decent work, social justice, and equitable development worldwide, setting a robust framework for future progress.
I believe that managers have a social role to play
Silvia Pugi
Deputy Secretary General
CEC European Managers
Silvia Pugi makes the voice of European managers heard
Silvia Pugi brought the voice of European managers at the United Nations event almost at the same time as she was elected by CEC European Managers General Assembly to become a new member of the Executive Board. The organisation, representing 1M European Managers in 15 countries, elected Pugi as the new Deputy Secretary General, and welcomed her expertise and commitment to the EU social dialogue.
In her opening remarks at the General Assembly held in Copenhagen and hosted by our Danish member organisation Lederne on the 6 June 2024, Silvia Pugi highlighetd the social role managers have. A vision, that she also brought to the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
You can download and read all the reports presented at the 112th Session of the International Labour Conference here.
