Beyza Binnur Dönmez
June 02, 2025•Update: June 02, 2025
GENEVA
The International Labor Organization (ILO) opened its 113th International Labor Conference (ILC) on Monday in Geneva, where representatives of governments, workers, and employers from 187 member states will meet until June 13.
This year's agenda includes a second discussion on a proposed Convention and Recommendation for the protection against biological hazards at work, a first standard-setting debate on decent work in the platform economy, and a general discussion on innovative approaches to tackling informality.
Delegates will also review changes to the Maritime Labor Convention and the ILO’s planned contribution to the 2025 World Summit for Social Development.
In his opening address, ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo emphasized the scope and urgency of the issues ahead, highlighting the need to respond to informality, unemployment, youth underemployment, rapid technological advancement, digitalization and use of artificial intelligence, and climate impacts on the world of work.
"This current session of the conference will provide us with an opportunity to take stock of these developments and challenges and provide solutions," he said.
He also stressed the importance of international labor standards and the role of inclusive dialogue. "The work of the standard-setting committees will therefore require maximum effort from the tripartite constituents to ensure positive outcomes," he noted.
"Whilst we differ in our respective views in the work before us, may we remain united with the resolve to see the success of this conference which will positively impact the global labor market," Houngbo added.
