Overview of the 113th International Labour Conference
The 113th International Labour Conference (ILC), organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland, will take place from June 2 to 13. This year, the conference will focus on one of the most pressing issues in the global labor market: informal employment. Representatives from 187 countries will gather to discuss innovative approaches to promote formalization and combat informal work.
Background on Informal Employment
Informal employment refers to non-standard work arrangements that lack social protection, job security, and regulated working conditions. It is a significant concern for the ILO as it affects millions of workers worldwide, particularly in developing countries.
Relevance of the 113th ILC
During its 347th meeting in March 2023, the ILO’s Governing Body decided to include a general discussion on innovative approaches to combat informal employment and encourage transitions towards formal work, ultimately fostering decent work opportunities.
Focus on Informal Employment in America Latina
The 113th ILC will also examine innovative strategies to address informal employment, ten years after the adoption of Recommendation No. 204. The region of America Latina faces high levels of informality, affecting more than half of the region’s employed population.
In Mexico, informal employment is a significant issue, with over 50% of the country’s labor force engaged in informal work. According to data from Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), the number of people employed in informal labor reached 32.5 million by March.
Impact of Informal Employment
Informal employment has severe consequences for workers, including:
- Lack of social protection: Informal workers are not entitled to essential benefits such as health insurance, unemployment protection, and pensions.
- Insecure income: Informal workers often receive lower wages and have unstable income, making it difficult to plan for the future.
- Limited career growth: Without formal employment, workers have fewer opportunities for skill development and career advancement.
- Exclusion from labor rights: Informal workers are typically not covered by labor laws, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and poor working conditions.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is informal employment? Informal employment refers to non-standard work arrangements lacking social protection, job security, and regulated working conditions.
- Why is informal employment a concern? Informal employment affects millions of workers worldwide, denying them access to essential benefits and decent work opportunities.
- What is the focus of the 113th International Labour Conference? The conference will discuss innovative approaches to combat informal employment and promote formal work, particularly in America Latina where informality levels are high.
- What are the consequences of informal employment? Informal workers face challenges such as lack of social protection, insecure income, limited career growth, and exclusion from labor rights.
