ILO Urges G20 Ministers to Tackle Inequality and Promote Gender Equality at Fortaleza Meeting

During the meeting, Houngbo introduced the G20 Social Policy Portal, developed in collaboration with the International Social Security Association (ISSA).

At a high-level meeting held in Fortaleza, Brazil on July 25-26, International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo called on G20 Labour and Employment Ministers to take decisive action to combat inequalities, advance gender equality, and enhance workplace diversity.

The meeting, hosted by Brazil, resulted in a consensus on a comprehensive set of measures aimed at addressing global labor market challenges, ensuring just transitions, and promoting decent work. The ministers committed to creating quality jobs, fostering social inclusion, and combating hunger and poverty through coordinated social, economic, and environmental policies.

Houngbo emphasized the need to accelerate efforts toward social justice, stating, "In a world that is constantly grappling with new challenges and crises, it is becoming clearer every day that we need to accelerate our efforts towards making social justice a reality for all. This requires well-coordinated social policies, including social protection and other policies to ensure social inclusion."

During the meeting, Houngbo introduced the G20 Social Policy Portal, developed in collaboration with the International Social Security Association (ISSA). The portal underscores the importance of universal social protection systems and robust labor market institutions in addressing inequalities and fostering sustainable development.

He also praised Brazil's launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, describing participation in the Alliance as both a moral obligation and a crucial step toward building a more equitable and sustainable world of work.

ILO Deputy Director-General Celeste Drake highlighted the role of technology in enhancing quality of life and workplace conditions, emphasizing the need to respect fundamental labor principles and encourage social dialogue. Drake announced the upcoming launch of the ILO Observatory on AI and Work in the Digital Economy and a standard-setting discussion on decent work in the platform economy scheduled for 2025.

In the Just Transition Leadership Forum, Houngbo stressed the importance of creating just transition pathways to achieve decent work and social justice. The forum called for G20 leaders, governments, employers, and workers' organizations to address the social impacts of climate change on labor markets.

Gender equality was a key topic, with ministers reaffirming their commitment to reducing the gender gap in labor market participation, aligned with the Brisbane Target of a 25 percent reduction by 2025. Celeste Drake, speaking at the EPIC (Equal Pay International Coalition) side event, urged continued efforts to improve women's income security, address gender pay gaps, and enhance conditions for paid care work.

The ministers' closing Declaration acknowledged the importance of fair wage policies and robust labor market institutions in tackling global employment challenges. They reaffirmed their commitment to the ILO's Decent Work Agenda, which includes job creation, fair wages, labor rights, and social protection, and recognized the potential of the ILO's Global Coalition for Social Justice to accelerate efforts to reduce global inequalities.