ILO and Gyeonggi Sign MoU to Boost Youth Employment and Develop Labour Policies

The implementation of the MoU will be supported through technical cooperation and the exchange of information and knowledge.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and Gyeonggi Province have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance technical cooperation aimed at promoting youth employment and developing effective labor policies. The agreement was formalized during the 112th International Labour Conference by Sangheon Lee, Director of the ILO Employment Policy, Job Creation, and Livelihoods Department, and Chul-Wan Kum, Director General of the Labor Bureau, Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea.

This MoU fortifies the collaboration between the ILO and Gyeonggi Province to foster decent jobs for individuals across their lifespans and improve access to opportunities for decent work. It highlights the importance of tackling youth unemployment and developing labor policies as crucial elements for sustainable development, social cohesion, and economic prosperity. The implementation of the MoU will be supported through technical cooperation and the exchange of information and knowledge.

Chul-Wan Kum remarked, "Gyeonggi Province is deeply invested in youth employment issues, and we offer various opportunities for young people to engage in safe and healthy learning environments to realize their aspirations. This partnership with the ILO, which has extensive experience and best practices in youth and labor policy, is an ideal opportunity for cooperation."

Sangheon Lee noted, "This MoU is significant not only due to the size of the province, with its 13 million residents but also because Gyeonggi Province has been progressive in labor issues, demonstrating how local governments can enhance the lives of workers and businesses. Despite this progress, they also face challenges, such as youth employment, which we at the ILO are also addressing. Therefore, we share a common challenge and must work together to resolve it."

The MoU sets the stage for future collaboration, including a conference on youth labor policies and quality jobs to be held in Gyeonggi Province in 2025, peer-to-peer learning opportunities to share best practices on youth employment with other countries, and cooperation on a survey to understand the challenges and solutions for youth employment.