Conference Agenda

This talk will address the concerns of the Left Behind: the many communities around the world, where decent work is threatened by the combined impact of globalisation and technological advancements.

Decent work transcends mere income, it fosters self-respect that comes from performing a meaningful, skill-based employment that contributes to the community. Creating such employment opportunities within an economy is a practical and achievable form of social justice – what Michael Sandel terms Contributive Justice. It also revitalizes and rejuvenates economies harmed by the myth that globalisation leads to universal prosperity.

However, not all employment creation efforts are successful. Nostalgic policies attempting to revive obsolete jobs are unlikely to be sustainable, particularly in developing countries. Instead, proactive public policies should focus on training and equipping workforces with skills that are relevant for 21st Century that builds on their distinctive strengths and harness technology for societal benefits.

In those societies currently gridlocked by polarised politics, progress requires a package of policies that resonate across the ideological spectrum. While maintaining core principles of a market economy such as competition, we can learn from recent successes in societies that offer more equitable forms of economic democracy which avoid ‘hierarchies of humiliation’ and unsatisfying work.

This session explores social justice dimensions in the context of temporary migration. Taking a comparative focus, the session will provide reflexions on Canada and Switzerland. Temporary migration programmes in both countries play a critical role in addressing labour market needs, particularly in low-wage sectors such as agriculture, caregiving, and hospitality. However, these programmes often raise concerns about equality rights, and long-term integration. In Switzerland, there seems to be a re-birth of temporary labour migration programmes in the last years in spite of lessons learned from the “guestworker” period. Canada’s temporary foreign worker programmes, while similarly criticized for exploitation and lack of mobility, often provide more structured pathways toward permanent residency and integration for particular group of workers, reflecting a more inclusion-oriented approach. But is this always the case? This session examines the tensions between economic utility and labour rights, showing how temporary migrants are valued for their labour but often excluded from full participation in society. The session calls for a re-evaluation of temporary migration policies through a social justice lens that prioritizes fair treatment, robust legal protections, and long-term opportunities for migrants.

Join us in celebrating the launch of the ILO Decent Work in Supply Chains Evidence Hub – a new platform showcasing ILO research on decent work in supply chains.

Translating research into clear, accessible, and actionable messages, the hub provides a rich source of evidence to inform ILO constituents, policymakers and researchers alike.

This innovative resource brings together materials from the ILO Library and leverages AI at various stages with close human guidance.

The Evidence Hub is the result of a collaborative effort between the ILO’s Action Programme on Supply Chains, the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO), the ILO Library, and numerous ILO researchers working at the intersection of decent work in supply chains.

Be among the first to explore the live platform during this session—and enjoy some snacks and drinks as we mark this exciting milestone together.

Work-Net is an international, inter-disciplinary network connecting centres and institutes studying work and employment, which was launched on Jan. 21, 2025.

This plenary explores how labour regulation can be made more impactful and inclusive, reaching those it too often leaves behind. Professor Davidov will examine how new technologies are reshaping the reach and effectiveness of labour protections—sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. Professor Sankaran will draw attention to the many workers still excluded from the scope of labour law, whether by legal design or lack of enforcement.

This closing plenary will critically examine the shortcomings of current macroeconomic models in addressing today’s fundamental challenges and explore alternative, human-centered approaches to growth and development. It calls for a paradigm shift away from GDP-focused frameworks towards models that prioritize sustainability, equity and decent employment opportunities.

Bringing together leading thinkers, this plenary will explore the principles underpinning global macroeconomic policy and chart pathways toward a more just and resilient future.