Key Highlights from IOE's Engagement at G20 Brazil

IOE was at the forefront of key labour and employment discussions during the G20 Brazil Labor and Employment Ministers’ Meeting.

On 25 July, IOE Secretary-General, Roberto Suárez Santos, addressed Labour Ministers in a Just Transition Leadership Forum at the G20 Brazil Labor and Employment Ministers’ Meeting, advocating for increased involvement of Labour Ministers and social partners in COP discussions as the just transition agenda and programme are lagging. Mr Suárez Santos stressed the need for balanced environmental policies to maximise job creation and mitigate socio-economic challenges:

“There’s nothing more unsustainable, not just for society, but also for the planet, than a society with no decent job opportunities. Let’s recognise it: badly framed climate strategies can create unintended disruptions that provoke questions around fairness, efficiency, and efficacy, in some cases putting climate strategies themselves at risk.”

Aside from this key forum on just transition, from 24-26 July 2024, the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) actively engaged in the 2024 G20 Labor and Employment Ministers’ Meeting and co-hosted a timely workshop on the transformative powers of AI at the Ceará Events Center in Fortaleza, Brazil. IOE leaders participating in these engagements took the opportunity to stress how firmly committed IOE is to B20 discussions and initiatives.

On 24 July, IOE Director of Policy, Luis Rodrigo Morales, shared insights at the Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC) side event, underscoring the importance of closing the gender pay gap to foster economic growth and workplace equality. Highlighting findings from a joint IOE-ILO study, Mr Morales stated:

“There is substantial evidence that supports the business case for gender equality. Companies with gender initiatives report increased profits and productivity.”

The event, featuring Brazilian Minister of Labour, Luiz Marinho, emphasised the anti-poverty impacts of equal pay.

Also on 25 July, the B20 Employment & Education Taskforce event, titled "Transformative Potential of AI and the Need for a Just Transition," co-hosted by IOE, Deloitte and the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI) was a success. The workshop brought together government, business, and civil society leaders to discuss AI’s impact on the workforce and explore best practices for inclusive AI adoption while acknowledging the dual nature of AI as both an opportunity and a challenge.

Speakers emphasised how AI can enhance business efficiency by automating routine tasks, providing data-driven insights, and improving customer experiences, ultimately leading to increased productivity and innovation. Participants also addressed the significant challenges, including the digital skills gap, the need for effective policies to prevent job losses, and the ethical concerns surrounding AI.

These discussions led to underscoring the importance of reskilling and upskilling programmes to equip workers with the necessary skills to thrive in an AI-driven economy. Public-private partnerships and continuous professional development were identified as critical components in achieving this goal.

Additionally, on 25 July, IOE presented the IOE-Deloitte Readiness Report on AI and the B20-L20 joint statement at the G20 Ministerial Dinner for Labour and Employment Ministers.

Finally, on 26 July, the last day of the G20 Labor and Employment Ministers’ Meeting, Roberto Suárez Santos addressed the plenary with closing remarks representing the B20 and reiterated how the AI disruption we are witnessing is connected with impressive productivity enhancements, income and job opportunities globally while pointing out challenges like job displacement, data, algorithm management, connectivity and digital illiteracy are undeniable. He also highlighted that a mere restrictive or regulatory approach is not the right answer.

Through all these engagements, IOE reinforced its commitment to driving forward-looking labour policies and fostering international collaboration.

Go to IOE’s dedicated Flickr photo album to see IOE’s highlights at the G20 Brazil Labor and Employment Ministers’ Meeting.