The Global Accelerator was in focus at the World of Work Summit Panel on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions

Geneva - A high-level panel discussion on jobs and social protection for just transitions, took place on 15 June 2023 as part of the ILO World of Work Summit 2023: Social Justice for All with the participation of Mr. Hubertus Heil, Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Germany; Ms. Tanzila Narbaeva, Chairperson of the Senate, Uzbekistan; Ms Rosa Santos Fernández, Director of Industrial Relations, Employment and Diversity, Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE);  Ms. Leída Marcela León, Independent Trade Union Alliance, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; Ms. Ligia Noronha, Assistant Secretary-General of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); and Mr Robert Powell, Special Representative to the United Nations, International Monetary Fund (IMF). 

The common highlight emphasized by all the speakers was the importance of coordinated efforts and collaboration among governments, international organizations, employers, workers, and other stakeholders to achieve social justice, just transitions, and inclusive growth. They recognized the need for investment in decent work, social protection measures, and inclusive social dialogue. The speakers emphasized the significance of multilateral cooperation, joint action, and partnerships in addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. Additionally, they stressed the role of the Global Accelerator as a platform to foster collaboration and collective action towards achieving shared objectives.

The key highlight emphasized by all the speakers was the significance of multilateral cooperation, joint action, and partnerships in addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges and to achieve social justice, just transitions, and inclusive growth. In line with this message the role of the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions was stressed as a platform to foster collaboration and collective action towards achieving shared objectives. In this respect, Ms. Tanzila Narbaeva, Chairperson of the Senate of Uzbekistan expressed Uzbekistan`s interest in joining the Global Accelerator as a pathfinder country and highlighted its commitment to social protection, youth employment, and gender equality, aligning its policies with the objectives of the Global Accelerator.

Similarly, development partners reiterated their support to the Global Accelerator by emphasizing the need for multilateral cooperation and the importance of investment in decent work and social protection measures for just transitions. More specifically, while Mr. Hubertus Heil, the Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of Germany, was highlighting its efforts in strengthening collective bargaining, promoting occupational safety and health, and enacting a Supply Chain Due Diligence Act to address issues like child labour and the climate crisis;  Mr. Robert Powell, the IMF's Special Representative to the United Nations, underscored the IMF's support for countries with limited fiscal space and the need to protect the poor and vulnerable during crises while mobilizing domestic revenue for inclusive growth. 

Representatives from employers and workers stressed the need for social dialogue, public-private cooperation, and tripartism to achieve social justice and ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of businesses. Inclusive social dialogue and the involvement of trade unions were highlighted as essential for addressing job losses, social protection, and achieving social justice.

Ms. Ligia Noronha, Assistant Secretary-General of UNEP accentuated the interconnectedness of social justice, environmental issues, and economic injustices. Coordinated policies were recommended by Ms. Noronha to tackle with all these global challenges, including changes in economic narratives, reshaping institutions, supporting circular economies, and incorporating the concept of public value into industrial strategies

The panel concluded with a reiteration of the importance of collaboration among multilateral agencies, governments, employers, and workers to promote social justice through jobs and social protection. The Global Accelerator and the proposed Global Coalition for Social Justice were recognized as vital platforms for achieving social justice, just transitions, and inclusive growth.