How the ILO is Shaping the Future of Work: Key Policies for a Changing Global Workforce

Author: Eva Bravin

Technology, globalization and demographic shifts are currently driving the labor market deep transformations and that’s why the International Labour Organization (ILO) is taking action to shape a more inclusive and equitable future of work. Founded in 1919, the ILO remains the only tripartite United Nations agency, bringing together governments, employers and workers to set international labor standards and promote social justice.

Automation, remote work and increasing employment precarity—especially among youth and workers in developing economies— are marking the current era and they are the reason behind the crucial importance of ILO’s mission in setting new rules and understanding the new world. This article deep dives in the ILO’s key policies and initiatives that are helping to redefine work in the 21st century and protect labor rights across a changing global workforce.

Responding to Automation and Technological Change

The advent of the 4th Industrial Revolution is leading to the introduction of a wave of automation, artificial intelligence and digital tools that are having a deep impact on labor markets. Even if on one hand these innovations can improve productivity and create new job opportunities, on the other hand they also risk displacing workers and deepening inequalities.

The ILO’s response has been the foundation of the “Global Commission on the Future of Work”, which works with a focus on anticipating and managing the impact of automation. This institution elaborated a report in 2019 emphasizing a “human-centered agenda” for the future of work, advocating investment in people’s capabilities, institutions of work, and decent, sustainable employment.

The key recommendations that were given are:

The promotion of lifelong learning and skills development to ensure workers to be able to adapt to new roles.
The creation of universal social protection systems, including unemployment insurance and access to healthcare.
The encouragement of human-in-command approaches to AI, ensuring technology serves people—not the other way around.

Remote Work and the New Digital Workplace

Thanks to COVID-19 pandemic, the process of normalization of remote work was accelerated and this didn’t only bring flexibility but also raised complex questions about labor rights, work-life balance and occupational health.

As a response, the ILO published numerous technical guidelines and research papers exploring fair remote work practices, such as:

Ensuring the employees fair remuneration and working hours.
Be respectful regarding the right to disconnect, which became a growing concern for remote employees that have to deal with blurred boundaries between home and office life.
Promoting the development and improvement digital infrastructure and access in lower-income countries to prevent a deepening of the digital divide.

The ILO also promotes inclusive digital policies in order to prevent the marginalization of women, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups from remote work opportunities.

Addressing the Rise of the Gig Economy

The vertiginous growth of platform-based work—which includes services such as ride-sharing, food delivery and freelance in digital—has reshaped the way millions of people earn money. The problem is that, sometimes, this model bypasses traditional labor protections, leading to issues like insecure incomes, lack of social benefits and inadequate workplace safety.

To address these challenges, the initiative “Decent Work in the Platform Economy” delivered by ILO has called for better regulation of platform work. This includes:

Recognizing gig workers not as independent contractors but as employees, when conditions meet certain criteria.
Guaranteeing minimum wage protections, access to dispute resolution and collective bargaining rights.
Enhancing transparency in algorithms that manage work allocation and performance ratings.

Moreover, the ILO is urging governments to modernize labor laws in line with the realities of digital work.

Tackling Youth Unemployment

Nowadays young people face a paradox: they are way better educated than any previous generation, yet also more likely to experience unemployment or informal, unstable work.

To combat this, the ILO, in collaboration with other institutions, launched the “Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth”, a multi-stakeholder partnership focused on:

Promoting entrepreneurship, apprenticeships, and vocational training.
Supporting youth-led enterprises and start-ups with access to financing and mentorship.
Expanding green jobs and digital economy opportunities tailored to young workers.

Through collaboration with governments, businesses, and civil society, the ILO aims to connect global policy with local action, helping young people transition from school to decent work.

Strengthening Workers’ Rights in Developing Economies

Many workers in developing countries are trapped in informal or unsafe employment, lacking contracts, benefits, or legal protections. The ILO plays a crucial role in advocating for decent work standards globally, especially in contexts where labor laws are weak or poorly enforced.

Key actions include:

Supporting governments in ratifying and implementing core ILO Conventions, such as those on forced labor, child labor, and freedom of association.
Promoting labor inspection systems to monitor working conditions, particularly in sectors like agriculture, construction, and textiles.
Collaborating with multinational companies on due diligence and supply chain responsibility, ensuring labor rights are upheld across borders.

Projects like Better Work, a joint initiative of the ILO and the International Finance Corporation, have had measurable success in improving conditions in garment factories across countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Jordan.

A Human-Centered Vision for the Future

The ILO’s work is grounded in the principle that decent work is the foundation of inclusive growth and social stability. As the world of work continues to evolve, the ILO’s focus remains on policies that put people—not just profits or productivity—at the heart of progress.

Looking ahead, the ILO is calling for a global coalition for social justice, emphasizing that labor rights must evolve alongside the economy. This involves greater international cooperation, fair digital transitions, and resilient institutions that can respond to crisis and change.

Conclusion

In a world of growing uncertainty and transformation, the ILO serves as a beacon for fair labor standards and inclusive economic development. Whether through safeguarding the rights of gig workers, guiding countries through technological change, or championing youth employment, its efforts are crucial in shaping a future of work that is just, sustainable, and equitable.

As challenges continue to mount—from climate change to digital disruption—only a coordinated, people-centered response can ensure that no worker is left behind. And in that mission, the ILO remains a global leader, committed to dignity and justice for all.