Gilbert F. Hongbo, director general of the International Labor Organization, said a new law is needed to help gig, platform workers. , Representative Image | , Photo credits: K. Bhagya Prakash
Director General of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Gilbert F. Hongbo said here on Tuesday that 56 per cent of the population in the Asia Pacific region and 60 per cent in the Arab countries do not have access to any social security benefits. Addressing reporters on the sidelines of the 17th Asia and Pacific Regional Meeting, Mr. Hongbo said that labor productivity in both regions has stabilized after the pandemic.
“Youth unemployment remains a major challenge. In the Asia-Pacific region, 15.5% of young people are unemployed, but in Arab states this number rises to around 26%,” Mr. Hongbo said.
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On his recent warning that there could be social unrest if the trend of reducing wages is not stopped, Mr. Hongbo said that the APRM would discuss the employment crisis and make suggestions.
“I hope there is no social unrest. No one wants to see social unrest. I am looking forward to see what ideas and recommendations come out of this meeting to face the current challenges as the purchasing power of workers is waning.” There is a need for better social security for all classes,” said Mr. Hongbo.
On Gig and Platform Workers and the Gig and Platform Economy, Mr. Hongbo said that it is important to have a law or a convention at the international level through the ILO that everyone can follow. “Otherwise this platform will affect the effectiveness of the economy. The road is bumpy. But I think we will get there,” he said.
On the complaint of about ten central trade unions of India that the Government of India has denied them participation in APRM, Mr. Hongbo said that he has asked his colleagues to investigate this. “Unfortunately, every time we hold a conference we are faced with such challenges. We have a committee that looks into such complaints,” he said.
Regarding reports of the death of hundreds of migrant workers in Qatar during preliminary construction activities for ongoing world cup football tournamentMr. Hongbo said things have improved since the ILO’s intervention.
“One death is too many. This is one of the reasons why the ILO attaches importance to safety at work. The ILO has been in discussions with Qatar since 2014. Those positive discussions led to the opening of a project office in Doha in 2017. The last five There has been a lot of positive work over the years. The Kafala system has been abolished. There was no freedom of association. But now many companies set up committees where workers are represented. There is a minimum wage that has been set up Heat stress was another challenge. Laws have been amended to increase the time where one must not work. More than 300 companies were shut down because they did not comply with the new laws. But this Doesn’t mean everything is rosy. Qatar has seen many reforms in a short period of time,” Mr. Hongbo said.
The ILO Director-General said that the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical crises and conflicts, weak global economic conditions and an increasing number of natural disasters as a direct result of climate change, have all pushed back social progress. “Lakhs of workers lost their jobs and livelihoods while some businesses closed their doors. The multiple global crises we are facing have also resulted in a decline in real wages,” Mr. Hongbo said.
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Later, addressing the APRM, Mr. Hongbo said that there is a need to improve the sector’s record on ratification and implementation of international labor standards. “Today, labor standards, employment policies and social security matter more than ever. During booming economic times, it’s easy to forget that some groups have been left behind. such as casual workers or micro-entrepreneurs making a living outside the umbrella of formal institutions and security. They are surviving. But they certainly aren’t thriving. Such disadvantaged groups tend not to ask for help. So – in the name of social justice – we must be their voice and act on their behalf,” Mr Hongbo said.
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Mr. Hongbo said that the impact of COVID-19 combined with geopolitical upheavals, economic crisis and natural disasters has pushed back social progress in the region.
“Millions of people who escaped poverty to join the middle class now fall below the poverty line. Or sit just above it. drives prices higher and higher. The pandemic disrupted education for millions of school children. And now we are seeing a sharp rise in the number of young people who are not in employment, education or training,” Mr. Hongbo said. .