www.g7italy.it/en/g7-ministers-meeting-on-labour-and-employment/">G7 Labour and Employment Ministers (LEMM) have restated their support for the ILO-led Global Coalition for Social Justice and its role in accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In a Declaration released at the end of their meeting the ministers reaffirmed the need for an inclusive and human-centred approach to seizing the opportunities and addressing the risks facing the world of work.
In particular, the Declaration cited the importance of taking a human-centred approach to the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the world of work, stating that AI's benefits could only be maximized and distributed fairly when there is respect for fundamental principles and rights at work, and where social dialogue and collective bargaining are part of the process of development and deployment.
Speaking to the labour ministers during a session on AI and the world of work, ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, commended the ministers' agreement to the G7 Action Plan for a human-centred adoption of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI in the World of Work. He pointed out that such a human-centred approach to AI offered many benefits, including "new employment opportunities, improved labour productivity and processes, and strengthened safety and health, in short, better job quality - a 'decent work'."
However, he cautioned that "there is nothing automatic about the way the benefits of technology spread across society." To reduce inequalities and the digital divide, "correct, well-designed, policy and regulatory responses," were needed, supported by appropriate safeguards, and effective social dialogue and collective bargaining.
During the meeting, the ministers were also presented with a joint statement by Labour 7 and Business 7, (who represent trade unions and employers' organizations, respectively, in the G7), "Shaping the advancement of Artificial Intelligence through social dialogue".
Houngbo also addressed the LEMM session on Responsive, flexible, and inclusive skills, lifelong learning policies and systems. He welcomed the G7's commitment to strengthening the anticipation and delivery of skills, adding that this would form foundations for a future of work that was productive, dynamic, just, and inclusive.
Ensuring that skills policies and systems supported inclusion was of vital importance, he said, "if they are to truly contribute to social justice." This meant making enrolment accessible, recognizing prior learning and challenging occupation-related gender perceptions.
The ILO Deputy Director-General, Celeste Drake, addressed LEMM sessions on the importance of decent work in the care sector for resilient labour markets in aging societies, and on the need to realize the fundamental right to a safe and healthy working environment.
The G7 LEMM meeting took place in Cagliari, Italy, on the 12th and 13th of September. Italy holds the rotating presidency of the G7 until the end of the year, after which it will pass to Canada.
