The Future of Work Podcast - Rural Women (English)_final.mp3

UN Women, 62nd session of the CSW: Empowering rural women and girls

Every year, on 15 October, the world celebrates the International Day of Rural Women, recognizing the critical role played by women in rural areas. This year the International Day recognizes their contribution in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty. “Women don’t want charity, they want to be helped and empowered,” says Reema Nanavaty, former General Secretary of the Self Employed Women's Association, in India, in a conversation with Elisenda Estruch Puertas, rural economy specialist at the ILO.

Reema Nanavaty

Former General Secretary, Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), India

Elisenda Estruch Puertas

Isabel Piquer

Communication and Public Information Officer, ILO

Rural women don’t want charity, they want to feel empowered

The Future of Work Podcast - The impact of the COVID-19 crisis on women or migrant workers (English).mp3

The workplace should be safe for everyone, everywhere. The ILO Convention No. 190 aims to end all forms of violence and harassment in the world of work, including gender-based violence. The Convention focuses on restoring dignity and respect for all.

Free the world of work from violence and harassment

Eliminating Violence and Harassment in the World of Work

Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Branch (GEDI)

ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work

Join the ILO’s global campaign for ratification of Violence and Harassment Convention

Global agreement reached at ILO Conference on action for COVID-19 recovery

What has been the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on women or migrant workers? Have we taken a step back on the progress made in recent years in terms of inclusion? What is the ILO doing about it? Can remote work help people with disabilities? Are algorithms more biased than humans?

Chidi King

Branch Chief, Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

What has been the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on women or migrant workers? Have we taken a step back on the progress made in recent years in terms of inclusion? What is the ILO doing about it? Can remote work help people with disabilities? Are algorithms more biased than humans? 

“The future is already here. If we don’t tackle the already existing inequalities, they will only be exacerbated by the rapid pace of change we are seeing in the world of work,” says Chidi King, new head of the Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Branch (GEDI) of the ILO.

In the ILO's podcast on the future of work, she takes stock of the pandemic's impact on equality and inclusion policies and discusses future challenges facing the most vulnerable populations.  

The future is already here

The Future of Work Podcast - International Lefthanders Day (English).mp3

About 10 per cent of people are left handed, yet the world of work is overwhelmingly set up for right-handers. There are also numerous examples – historical and contemporary - of discrimination and stigma in relation to left-handed people. International Left-handers Day, on August 13, aims to counter some of these disadvantages and draw attention to the strengths of the world’s left-handed workers and the problems they face.

Dr Marietta Papadatou-Pastou

Assistant Professor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Sophy Fisher

About 10 per cent of people are left handed, yet the world of work is overwhelmingly set up for right-handers. There are also numerous examples – historical and contemporary - of discrimination and stigma in relation to left-handed people.

International Left-handers Day, on August 13, aims to counter some of these disadvantages and draw attention to the strengths of the world’s left-handed workers and the problems they face.

Left-handed workers in a right-handed world

The Future of Work Podcast - Digital Refugee Livelihoods (English).mp3

Digital refugee livelihoods and decent work: Towards inclusion in a fairer digital economy 

Partnership for improving prospects for forcibly displaced persons and host communities (PROSPECTS)

Digital labour platforms can transform how young refugees make a living. But the unequal spread of internet connectivity, inequalities in digital skills and the specific obstacles that many refugee population face daily make it difficult to apply for these jobs.

Andreas Hackl, Lecturer in social anthropology at the University of Edinburgh, and author of the ILO report Towards decent work for young refugees and host communities in the platform economy in Africa: Kenya, Uganda, Egypt and Drew Gardiner, Youth employment specialist at the ILO, explain how coordinate action is needed to ensure young refugees can access gig economy jobs and that these jobs are decent.  

Drew Gardiner

Dr Andreas Hackl

Lecturer in social anthropology at the University of Edinburgh

Digital labour platforms can transform how young refugees make a living. But the unequal spread of internet connectivity, inequalities in digital skills and the specific obstacles that many refugee population face daily make it difficult to apply for these jobs.

Andreas Hackl, Lecturer in social anthropology at the University of Edinburgh, and author of the ILO report Towards decent work for young refugees and host communities in the platform economy in Africa: Kenya, Uganda, Egypt and Drew Gardiner, Youth employment specialist at the ILO, explain how coordinate action is needed to ensure young refugees can access gig economy jobs and that these jobs are decent.  

How digital labour platforms can provide decent jobs for young refugees

The Future of Work Podcast - Domestic Workers (English).mp3

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vital role that domestic workers play in supporting the care needs of households, as well as the vulnerability they face earning a living behind closed doors. The adoption of Convention No. 189 in 2011 was adopted precisely to protect domestic workers from such poor working conditions. After a decade of efforts, how far have we come to make decent work a reality for domestic workers?

Making decent work a reality for domestic workers

The South African Domestic Services and Allied Workers Union (SADSAWU)

10 years on, domestic workers still fight for equality and decent work

Convention No. 189 defines domestic work as work performed in or for a household or households, within an employment relationship and on an occupational basis. While progress has been made in legal coverage of domestic workers, these legal rights have not yet become a reality for most domestic workers across the globe. There remain significant decent work deficits in the areas of working time, wages and social security. South African domestic worker Florence Sosiba shares her experience representing the rights of domestic workers in her country.

Florence Sosiba

Domestic worker and President of The South Africa Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union (SADSAWU)

Belinda Japhet

Skills Communications Officer, ILO Dar es Salaam  

Convention No. 189 defines domestic work as work performed in or for a household or households, within an employment relationship and on an occupational basis. 

While progress has been made in legal coverage of domestic workers, these legal rights have not yet become a reality for most domestic workers across the globe. There remain significant decent work deficits in the areas of working time, wages and social security.

South African domestic worker Florence Sosiba shares her experience representing the rights of domestic workers in her country.

Making domestic work decent work in South Africa

The Future of Work Podcast - Neurodiversity (English).mp3

ILO Webinar "Neurodiversity in the Workplace: The Power of Difference"

ILO Global Business and Disability Network

Centre for Neurodiversity at Work, Birkbeck College

It is widely agreed that we need to improve diversity in the workplace and research shows that diverse workplaces are more motivated, more innovative, and more profitable. But, too often, diversity recruitment and inclusion initiatives ignore neurodiversity. It’s estimated that 1-in-6 people have some sort of neuro-minority status, such as Aspergers, ADHD or Dyslexia. Yet unemployment rates for neuro-minority people are far higher than for others - up to 80 per cent. Dr Nancy Doyle, CEO of Genius Within and Co-Director of the Centre for Neurodiversity at Work, Birkbeck College, University of London, and Neil Barnett, Director of Inclusive Hiring and Accessibility at Microsoft, discuss the reasons for this and why getting different ways of thinking into a workforce can create advantage.

Neil Barnett

Director of Inclusive Hiring and Accessibility, Microsoft

Dr Nancy Doyle

CEO, Genius Within, Co-Director of the Centre for Neurodiversity at Work, Birkbeck College, University of London

It is widely agreed that we need to improve diversity in the workplace and research shows that diverse workplaces are more motivated, more innovative, and more profitable. But, too often, diversity recruitment and inclusion initiatives ignore neurodiversity.

It’s estimated that 1-in-6 people have some sort of neuro-minority status, such as Aspergers, ADHD or Dyslexia. Yet unemployment rates for neuro-minority people are far higher than for others - up to 80 per cent. 

Dr Nancy Doyle, CEO of Genius Within and Co-Director of the Centre for Neurodiversity at Work, Birkbeck College, University of London, and Neil Barnett, Director of Inclusive Hiring and Accessibility at Microsoft, discuss the reasons for this and why getting different ways of thinking into a workforce can create advantage.

Neuro-diversity and the workplace - positive or negative?

The Future of Work Podcast - OSH DAY (English).mp3

To mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2021, the International Labour Organization has assessed the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Its report calls for sound and resilient occupational safety and health systems that are able to withstand future emergencies. Expert Manal Azzi answers key questions on the report.

Occupational safety and health and COVID-19: what lessons have we learned?

World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2021

ILO calls for resilient occupational safety and health systems for future emergencies

Anticipate, prepare and respond to crises – Invest now in resilient occupational safety and health systems

Safety and Health in the workplace has been massively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. As we mark World Day for Safety and Health and Work, Manal Azzi, Senior Occupational Safety and Health Specialist at the ILO, joins us to discuss the vital role that safe workplaces play for crisis recovery and prevention. Drawing on lessons learned from dealing with the pandemic, she lays out some of the strategies outlined in a new ILO report on how to strengthen national occupational safety and health systems to build resilience, in order to face crises now and in the future.

Manal Azzi

Senior Occupational Safety and Health Specialist, ILO

Safety and Health in the workplace has been massively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. As we mark World Day for Safety and Health and Work, Manal Azzi, Senior Occupational Safety and Health Specialist at the ILO, joins us to discuss the vital role that safe workplaces play for crisis recovery and prevention.

Drawing on lessons learned from dealing with the pandemic, she lays out some of the strategies outlined in a new ILO report on how to strengthen national occupational safety and health systems to build resilience, in order to face crises now and in the future.

Why we need to invest now in resilient occupational safety and health systems

The Future of Work Podcast - Green Jobs in Africa (English).mp3

Africa: A green, sustainable future is possible

Invest in climate education to build a better workforce for a greener future

COVID-19 and the world of work: Jump-starting a green recovery with more and better jobs, healthy and resilient societies

For Sub-Saharan African countries the challenges of climate change come alongside more long-standing development issues. However, the shift to a greener economy also offers commercial opportunities, with the potential to create employment and boost access to core services.

Zimbabwean green entrepreneurs, Elizabeth Nyamuda, founder of Tamba Washables, and Luke Makarichi, founder of GreenTEC, share their experiences of launching and running their green businesses.

Elizabeth Nyamuda

Founder and Managing Director, Tamba Washables

Luke Makarichi

Founder and Managing Director, GreenTec Energy

For Sub-Saharan African countries the challenges of climate change come alongside more long-standing development issues. However, the shift to a greener economy also offers commercial opportunities, with the potential to create employment and boost access to core services.

Zimbabwean green entrepreneurs, Elizabeth Nyamuda, founder of Tamba Washables, and Luke Makarichi, founder of GreenTEC, share their experiences of launching and running their green businesses.

Zimbabwe’s green economy trailblazers

ILO FoW Podcast - WESO 2021.mp3

How will digital labour platforms transform the world of work?

The role of digital labour platforms in transforming the world of work

Can digital labour platforms create fair competition and decent jobs?

Rapid growth of digital economy calls for coherent policy response

The growth of digital labour platforms is presenting opportunities and challenges for workers and businesses around the world.

Uma Rani, Senior Economist at the ILO and author of the World Employment and Social Outlook report 2021, explains the need for dialogue and regulatory cooperation in order to provide decent work opportunities in the sector.

She is joined by several platform workers who share their experiences and hopes for the future of their work.

Uma Rani

Senior Economist in the ILO Research Department

Sergio Santos

Mercy Osongo

Laura Cardona

Anders Johnsson

Multimedia Producer in the ILO's Department of Communication

The growth of digital labour platforms is presenting opportunities and challenges for workers and businesses around the world. Uma Rani, Senior Economist at the ILO and author of the World Employment and Social Outlook report 2021, explains the need for dialogue and regulatory cooperation in order to provide decent work opportunities in the sector. She is joined by several platform workers who share their experiences and hopes for the future of their work.

Future of Work Podcast- Can technology create a more equitable future of work.mp3

LinkedIn Co-Founder Allen Blue gives an interview at the 2019 International Women's Day Event at ILO Headquarters in Geneva.

How COVID-19 has accelerated the future of work

ILO and LinkedIn launch data insights partnership

Technology will be one of the key drivers shaping the future of work, but will it encourage decent work and social justice or fuel inequality and insecure work? Allen Blue, Co-Founder of LinkedIn and Vice President of Product Management explains how he sees technology bringing the public and private sectors together, to spread skills and opportunities and create the foundations for a greener and more equitable future.

Allen Blue

Technology will be one of the key drivers shaping the future of work, but will it encourage decent work and social justice or fuel inequality and insecure  work?

Allen Blue, Co-Founder of LinkedIn and Vice President of Product Management explains how he sees technology bringing the public and private sectors together, to spread skills and opportunities and create the foundations for a greener and more equitable future. 

Can technology create a more equitable future of work?

Future of Work - Podcast on Telework with Jon Messenger_FINAL NEW.mp3

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a sudden explosion in the number of people who telework, even in jobs that no one would have imagined it possible to do. Jon Messenger, a Senior Research Officer at the International Labour Organization in Geneva, Switzerland has been studying how telework has evolved in the last 20 years and talks about its present and future in the world of work.

Woman sits at her desk and works from home.

Jon Messenger

Karen Sekiguchi-Naets

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a sudden explosion in the number of people who telework, even in jobs that no one would have imagined it possible to do. Jon Messenger, a Senior Research Officer a the International Labour Organization in Geneva, Switzerland has been studying how telework has evolved in the last 20 years and talks about its present and future in the world of work.

First-person perspectives on the world of work

The Future of Work Podcast

Rural women don’t want charity, they want to feel empowered

Rural women don’t want charity, they want to feel empowered

The future is already here

Left-handed workers in a right-handed world

How digital labour platforms can provide decent jobs for young refugees

Making domestic work decent work in South Africa

Neuro-diversity and the workplace - positive or negative?

Why we need to invest now in resilient occupational safety and health systems

Zimbabwe’s green economy trailblazers

The role of digital labour platforms in transforming the world of work

Can technology create a more equitable future of work?

Telework: Wild ride or win-win?