New York – Doha: Europe and the Arabs

The world of work is undergoing rapid and destabilizing change, with widening inequalities and job insecurity leaving millions without stable livelihoods or basic protection. This warning comes in a new assessment by the International Labour Organization (ILO), which urges governments, employers, and labor organizations to place dignity and workers' rights at the heart of economic decision-making. according to the UN Daily News.

"This report brings together the voices, experiences, and proposals of trade unions worldwide," said Maria Helena André, Director of the ILO's Bureau for Workers' Activities. "Workers have identified shared priorities for promoting social justice and shaping a more inclusive future of work."

She noted that while economies and labor markets are changing rapidly, systems for protecting and governing workers have not kept pace, leading to increased insecurity and deepening inequalities.

A Call for a People-Centric Economy

According to the report, technological change, climate pressures, demographic shifts, and weak social protection mechanisms are all reshaping workplaces faster than policies can respond. Without action, existing inequalities are likely to worsen, particularly for workers in informal, temporary, or low-wage jobs. Key messages from the report include:

➡️Decent work and labor rights are non-negotiable.

➡️Economic governance must put people first.

➡️Technological and climate transitions must be fair and inclusive.

➡️Local realities require tailored solutions.

➡️Trade unions are evolving to remain relevant.

Global debate kicks off in Doha

These findings come as more than 8,000 participants—including heads of state and government, ministers, employers’ groups, civil society organizations, and youth representatives—prepare to gather in Doha for the second World Summit for Social Development, which opens tomorrow, Tuesday.

The summit will review and update the commitments first made at the landmark Social Summit in Copenhagen in 1995, in light of growing inequality, insecurity, and social fragmentation in many parts of the world.

Message from the Director-General of the International Labour Organization

In a message ahead of the summit, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization, Gilbert Houngbo, urged governments to work with ambition and unity. He added: “Everyone deserves an equal opportunity for good jobs and shared prosperity. Let us come together again—to deliver fair, inclusive, and lasting progress for people everywhere.”