GENEVA (ILO News) – The International Labor Organization (ILO) has welcomed the commitment of G7 Labor and Employment Ministers to take concrete steps towards a just transition and the creation of decent jobs for a green economy, as highlighted in the Ministerial Declaration issued after their meeting in Wolfsburg, Germany.
The statement, released on May 24, reflects the German G7 Presidency’s focus on operationalizing the goal of a just transition to carbon neutrality through three main channels: investment in skills for green jobs, especially for low-skilled adults; the extension of social protection to protect incomes and facilitate transitions; and improving occupational safety and health (OSH) to cover new risks related to climate change and the policies implemented to mitigate it.
Ministers agreed on a roadmap for safe and healthy work in a green economy and recognized the important contribution of the Vision Zero Fund in tackling the impact of climate change on the safety and health of workers. workers, including through a pilot project on climate change and OSH in global supply chains.
Another positive outcome of the meeting was the Ministers’ commitment to work towards an international consensus on business and human rights that would strengthen respect for the standards set out in the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles. on multinational enterprises and social policy (MNE Declaration).
The ILO also welcomed the support of the G7 Labor Ministers for the UN Secretary-General’s initiative for a “Global Accelerator for Jobs and Social Protection for a Just Transition”, to create 400 million jobs and to extend social protection coverage to the four billion people who are currently not covered by any measures, a proposal which was also supported by G7 Development Ministers at their recent meeting.
The ILO highlighted the strong support of ministers for adding occupational safety and health to the existing ILO fundamental principles and rights at work, a measure that needs to be considered by ILO member states at the International Labor Conference, which opens later this month.
Ministers also agreed to establish a permanent Task Force on Jobs, to promote continuity and prioritize coordinated action within the G7 on critical labour, social and employment issues. job.
“Now, more than ever, an integrated and coordinated response is needed. A response that prioritizes OSH in the context of a just transition – and that ensures a transition towards resilient and sustainable economies that also contribute to the goals of decent work for all and protect workers against disease, ill health, injury or death at work,” said ILO Director-General Guy Ryder.
“By elevating OSH as a fundamental right, the International Labor Conference would express its determination that health and safety in the workplace deliver significant human and economic benefits, support inclusive economic growth and are crucial for a recovery. centered on people and the future of work,” he added.
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