Riyadh, January 30, 2025, Gilbert Houngbo, the director-general of the UN International Labour Organization (ILO), commended Saudi Arabia's pivotal role in steering the future of the global labor market.
In statements to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) during the Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) 2025 in Riyadh, Houngbo emphasized the comprehensive reforms outlined in Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at fostering a decent work environment. He highlighted the objectives of the Kingdom’s vision regarding enhancing market competitiveness and achieving sustainable economic development.
Houngbo underscored Saudi Arabia's success in transforming its labor market through a comprehensive array of qualitative reforms. These include the update of labor laws, the enhancement of occupational safety and health, besides the Kingdom’s efforts to boost employment opportunities for youth and women. He described these efforts as positioning the Kingdom as a global model for creating advanced and modern work environments.
The ILO chief remarked that the initiatives being undertaken by the Kingdom reflect a steadfast commitment to establishing a more flexible and equitable labor market, in line with the international standards that the ILO seeks. He underscored Saudi Arabia's dedication to localizing jobs, empowering women, and investing in skill development, which collectively foster sustainable job opportunities and bolster economic growth. Furthermore, he noted the Kingdom's National Policy for the Elimination of Forced Labor as a testament to its unwavering commitment to international labor standards, placing it at the forefront of countries championing fair and equitable workplaces.
Houngbo noted the Kingdom's leadership in digital transformation and its approach to addressing the challenges posed by climate change. He stressed that investments in modern technologies and sustainability initiatives position Saudi Arabia to spearhead global efforts toward a just transition to a sustainable economy that harmonizes development with social equity.
The Kingdom's investments in digitization and modern technologies are not solely about enhancing labor-market efficiency, the ILO chief said. They also contribute to creating more attractive and sustainable work environments, serving as a model for others to emulate globally, he stated.
Additionally, Houngbo commended Saudi Arabia as a strategic partner in international endeavors aimed at advancing social justice and fostering comprehensive growth. He highlighted the ILO's collaboration with the Kingdom across various domains, including occupational safety and health, aligning skills with labor market demands, and enhancing social protection. Houngbo asserted that Saudi Arabia's experience could serve as a valuable template for other nations seeking to modernize their labor markets.
Houngbo emphasized the critical role of the GLMC hosted in the Saudi capital as a vital platform for stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue about the pressing challenges and opportunities facing today’s global labor market.
In his statements, the ILO chief spoke about the ILO’s priorities, including tackling disparities, promoting inclusive growth, ensuring decent work, enhancing social protection, and addressing the evolving dynamics of the labor market amid digitalization, climate change, just transition efforts and demographic shifts. He underscored that promoting social justice is not merely a moral imperative but an economic necessity, contributing to stability, inclusion, and sustainable growth. The conference, he noted, closely aligns with these priorities, particularly concerning job creation, fair labor practices, and preparing the workforce for a rapidly changing world.
Addressing the issue of youth unemployment in Arab countries, Houngbo stressed the need for a multifaceted approach, including investing in quality education and vocational training that meets labor-market demands, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating opportunities for productive jobs. He added that although global youth unemployment rates have recently fallen to their lowest levels in 15 years, the ILO’s Global Employment Trends for Youth report indicates a 1 percent increase in youth unemployment across Arab nations.
Houngbo called for aligning educational systems with market needs and providing more opportunities for productive jobs. Initiatives such as “Decent Jobs for Youth,” supported by the United Nations, can play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between education and employment, promoting entrepreneurship, and enhancing job prospects, he added.
The ILO chief discussed the impact of digital transformations in the workplace, stating that while these changes offer opportunities for job creation, increased productivity, and innovation, they also present significant challenges. These include job displacement, the rise of precarious work, skill mismatches, and unequal access to technology. He urged governments and employers to invest in lifelong learning programs, ensure equitable access to digital resources, and implement policies that safeguard workers during these transitions.
Integrating elements of decent work into digital policies and strategies is essential to ensure that digital transformations foster inclusive, equitable, and sustainable labor markets, Houngbo asserted. Additionally, he highlighted the urgent need to reform traditional social protection systems and labor laws to keep pace with the rapidly evolving nature of work driven by digitalization.
Houngbo underscored gender equality as a foundational element of the ILO's mission. He emphasized the organization's commitment to implementing a transformative agenda aimed at achieving gender equality and ensuring equal treatment and opportunities for all. This includes efforts to reduce the gender pay gap, promote decent work in the care economy, and eliminate violence and harassment in the work environment.
Ensuring that women have access to maternal protection and creating supportive environments for workers with family responsibilities is paramount, Houngbo stated. He advocated for measures such as flexible work arrangements, maternity and paternity leave, and improved conditions for care workers, including domestic staff. He stressed the importance of forging partnerships with governments and businesses across the Gulf region and beyond to advance these critical objectives.
Houngbo highlighted Saudi Arabia's recent enactment of legislation mandating maternity insurance for female workers, both citizens and residents. He described the development as a significant milestone in bolstering women’s employment and promoting equality in the labor market.
Discussing the “Global Coalition for Social Justice” initiative, Houngbo explained that the ILO-led initiative serves as a platform to enhance international cooperation in addressing disparities, promoting decent work, and advancing social justice worldwide. The coalition comprises over 300 partners, including governments, employers, workers, and various stakeholders such as international organizations and academics. It aims to develop innovative solutions to pressing global challenges, including unemployment, inadequate social protection, gender gaps, and the evolving dynamics of the labor market.
Houngbo noted that Saudi Arabia's transformative agenda outlined in Vision 2030 has uniquely positioned the Kingdom to take a leading role within the coalition. The Kingdom’s ambitious labor-market reforms, initiatives to enhance workforce inclusivity, and investments in education and skills development serve as valuable examples for the global community.
Furthermore, he commended Saudi Arabia’s strategic leadership in organizing international events, such as the GLMC, aligning perfectly with the coalition’s mission to promote collaborative action toward a more just and inclusive global economy.
Addressing occupational safety and health, Houngbo affirmed that this critical issue, including protecting workers from violence and harassment, is essential for fostering decent work environments and maintaining workers’ prosperity. He hailed the significant strides made by Saudi Arabia in enhancing occupational safety and health standards, particularly through labor market reforms and initiatives linked to Vision 2030. These include the adoption of the National Policy on Occupational Safety and Health, the establishment of a national council dedicated to this cause, and the development of a modern system for recording and reporting work-related injuries and diseases.
In a message for participants at the conference in Riyadh, Houngbo urged seizing the opportunity for dialogue and collaboration. He emphasized that the future of the labor market relies on collective efforts to promote decent work, achieve social justice, and support sustainable development on a global scale.