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By Bimbola Oyesola
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has called for stronger global labour protections and fairer trade as a foundation for economic resilience and social justice amid growing geopolitical tensions and technological disruption to labour markets worldwide, during a two-day official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The Director-General (ILO) Gilbert F. Houngbo, speaking at the Bab Al Bahrain Forum, an event organised by the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) to promote sustainable development through global dialogue on trade, technology and employment harped on importance of decent work through just digital and green transitions and social dialogue amid global trade and supply chain shifts
The Director-General Houngbo participated in the Forum’s opening panel titled “Navigating Economic Transformation: The Impact of Shifting Global Blocs on Stability and Growth” alongside Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Bahrain’s Minister of Finance and National Economy of Bahrain Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, and Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassim Al-Budaiwi.
In the discussion, the Director-General said the long-term effects of raising trade tariffs depend on structural adjustments, policy responses and global retaliation.
“Through setting proactive labour policies, engaging workers and employers’ organizations in social dialogue and recommitting to fundamental principles and rights at work,” Houngbo said, adding countries are more likely to chart a path into a global economy with fairer trade policies, more resilient supply chains and increased decent work.
He also called for robust social protection systems and targeted skills development to support workers through these shifts and through the rise of artificial intelligence and climate change.
He highlighted the importance of aligning training with labour market needs, especially in green and digital sectors, and urged policymakers to strengthen partnerships between educational institutions and industries to address widening gaps between the skills workers have and those the labour markets need.
“Tripartite social dialogue is critical to ensure the response to global trade fragmentation protects both people and productivity,” Houngbo explained.
