Social dialogue critical to creation of decent jobs, says ILO

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has stressed the critical role social dialogue plays in the creation of decent jobs and improved performance for business.In a report entitled, ‘building trust in a changing world of work’ was co-authored by the ILO and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and coordinated by the Global Deal – a partnership that aims to encourage governments, businesses, unions and other organizations to make commitments to enhance social dialogue.

Commenting on the findings of the report, the Director General of the ILO, Guy Ryder said: “The new report shows that enhanced social dialogue can create opportunities for more inclusive labour markets and economic growth, better socio-economic outcomes and greater well-being for workers, improved performance for businesses and restored trust for governments.”

The Secretary General of OECD, Angel Gurría said: “Creating more and better jobs is key to achieving inclusive economic growth. At a time marked by increasing job insecurity, wage stagnation and new challenges from the digital revolution, constructive labour relations are more important than ever.” 

The report also notes that about half of the world’s working population remains outside the coverage of two critical international labour instruments protecting their rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining: ILO Conventions No 87 and 98.

The ILO Deputy Director, Moussa Oumarou submitted that as the ILO heads towards its centenary in 2019, initiatives such as the Global Deal are instrumental to place social dialogue at the core of the international agenda. The report calls for renewed efforts to promote ratification of the two fundamental Conventions, and ensuring that the rights they enshrine are realised in law and in practice. 

It also says that governments have a key role to play in creating the enabling policy environment needed for the full development of social dialogue, and of strong, independent and representative organizations of workers and employers. The report highlights the crucial role played by social partners in shaping the future of work, through workplace cooperation, collective bargaining and tripartite social dialogue. Social partners can jointly decide what technologies to adopt and how. 

They can contribute to manage transitions for displaced workers, help identify skills’ needs and develop education and training programmes. The report further stresses the crucial role of social dialogue in enhancing the inclusiveness of labour protection and furthering Goal 8 of the 2030 agenda on decent work and inclusive growth.