Focus on the third priority proposed by the Italian presidency within the Labour work stream: addressing structural changes in the patterns of work, including the spread of platform-mediated employment and remote working
The second meeting of the Employment Working Group under the Italian G20 Presidency took place virtually, on April 14th, 15th and 16th. It was attended by the delegates of the G20 and invitated countries.
The meeting, chaired by the Italian Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, gave the G20 a chance to discuss the third priority proposed by the Italian presidency within the Labour work stream: addressing structural changes in the patterns of work, including the spread of platform-mediated employment and remote working. During the meeting, the Italian Presidency also presented its proposal to hold a joint session of the Employment and Education Ministerial Meetings on the issue of the transition between school and work. The Presidency highlighted some of the potential principles that will form the basis of the Joint Ministerial Declaration on the importance of synergies between education systems and the labor market to ensure that young generations are able to face the challenges of a rapidly evolving world of work.
As in previous meeting, international organizations and engagement groups contributed to the exchange of ideas, policies and good practices on the topic at hand. The OECD, ILO, ISSA and the World Bank Group presented their most recent studies on remote work, the impact of artificial intelligence on employment and the skills that will be most in-demand in the labour market in light of the ongoing transitions in the world of work. The participation of Labour20, Business20, Civil20 and Think20 representatives - as well as that of Women20 and Youth20 representatives in the first meeting – ensured the inclusion of social partners and of civil society's perspectives in the debate, aimed at refining the thematic priorities.
On the following days, G20 representatives focused their work on drafting the documents to be approved by Labour and Employment Ministers at the Catania Ministerial Meeting in June. In particular, the Working Group discussed the G20 Roadmap Toward and Beyond the Brisbane Goal and the G20 Policy Principles to ensure access to adequate social protection for all in light of the ongoing transition towards the green and digital economy, accelerated by the pandemic. The negotiations led to a consensus on the importance of the two topics and on the rationale of the Italian Presidency's proposals.
