INTERNATIONAL
Trade tensions straining labor markets globally: ILO chief
Workers making clothes, Shouguang City, Shandong Province, east China. - REUTERS
INTENSIFYING global trade tensions are taking a toll on labor markets across the world, said the director-general of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Gilbert F. Houngbo, on Monday in Geneva, Switzerland.
AI Brief
Speaking at the opening of the 113th International Labor Conference, Houngbo said that global employment projections for 2025 have been revised downward, citing the ILO's latest World Employment and Social Outlook report.
According to the report, the number of new jobs expected to be created worldwide has been adjusted to 53 million, seven million fewer than the forecast made in October last year. Houngbo attributed the downgrade primarily to slower global economic growth amid mounting trade tensions.
Houngbo also underscored the growing impact of artificial intelligence on global labor markets, noting that highly digitalized professions -- such as media, software development and finance -- are facing rising risks, while jobs involving repetitive manual tasks are becoming increasingly vulnerable.
This year's International Labor Conference will run until June 13, with delegates from the ILO's 187 member states focusing on issues including the prevention of biological hazards, decent work, and proposed amendments to the Maritime Labor Convention.
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AI Brief
- ILO lowered global job creation estimate for 2025 by 7 million due to slower economic growth and trade tensions.
- AI is impacting digital and repetitive jobs, raising concerns across key industries like media and finance.
- The ILO conference runs through June 13, addressing job safety, decent work, and maritime labor reforms.
Speaking at the opening of the 113th International Labor Conference, Houngbo said that global employment projections for 2025 have been revised downward, citing the ILO's latest World Employment and Social Outlook report.
According to the report, the number of new jobs expected to be created worldwide has been adjusted to 53 million, seven million fewer than the forecast made in October last year. Houngbo attributed the downgrade primarily to slower global economic growth amid mounting trade tensions.
Houngbo also underscored the growing impact of artificial intelligence on global labor markets, noting that highly digitalized professions -- such as media, software development and finance -- are facing rising risks, while jobs involving repetitive manual tasks are becoming increasingly vulnerable.
This year's International Labor Conference will run until June 13, with delegates from the ILO's 187 member states focusing on issues including the prevention of biological hazards, decent work, and proposed amendments to the Maritime Labor Convention.