The Future of Work Podcast

As the world falls short of its 2025 target to end child labour, this podcast explores what comes next. Representatives of workers, employers and the ILO discuss how to keep child labour high on the global agenda beyond 2030 and what a new global target should look like. Podcast guests: Federico Blanco, ILO Head of the Research and Evaluation Unit in the FUNDAMENTALS department Cyrene Martinsson W...

With uneven growth and slowing productivity in many regions, can growth still be inclusive, sustainable and create decent jobs? This discussion looks at how responsible business practices shape firms, treatment of workers and the wider economy. Podcast guests: Mark Birrell, President, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) Abdul-Moomin Gbana, General Secretary, Ghana Mine Workers Union...

The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, is considered a model of strong and effective cooperation between seafarers and the global shipping industry, and its implementation is all the more crucial as the high seas continue to face unprecedented pressures and crises. Podcast guests: Max Johns, Former Shipowner, Vice-Chair of the Special Tripartite...

The Occupational Safety and Health Convention, or Convention 187, was adopted two decades ago. It is still highly relevant today, as the world of work faces new and re-emerging psychosocial and health risks linked to climate change, technological changes, pandemics and other challenges. Podcast guests: Anousheh Karvar, French Government Representative to the ILO and to the G7-G20 Labour & Employme...

In 1976, Convention No. 144 established a simple but powerful principle: governments, employers and workers should shape labour policy together. To mark the Convention's 50th anniversary, representatives of governments, employers and workers, alongside the European Union, reflect on what social dialogue has achieved and whether it can continue to help shape the future of work. Podcast guests: Mich...

In a world shaped by AI, the green transition, and demographic change, lifelong learning is key to supporting good jobs and more inclusive societies. But new ILO research shows access to quality learning is still deeply unequal. Podcast guests: Pedro Moreno da Fonseca, Lifelong learning specialist at the ILO. Hannah Liepmann, Economist at the ILO. Chaudhry Saad Muhammad, General Secretary of the P...

Artificial intelligence is already reshaping work – from jobs to skills to everyday working life. But will it strengthen decent work, dignity and shared prosperity – or deepen inequality and exclusion? Guests: Kostas Papadakis, Senior adviser, Labour Governance and Sectoral Policies Department, ILO Janine Berg, Senior economist in the Research Department, ILO Hannah Liepmann, Economist in the Rese...

ILO workers' activities specialist Rafael Peels joins the Future of Work podcast to explore strategic foresight - a methodology for navigating disruption. Learn how workers' and employers' organizations can prepare for an uncertain future.

In this episode of the ILO Future of Work podcast, Manal Azzi explains how psychosocial risks such as long working hours, job insecurity and workplace bullying affect workers’ health, and what can be done to create healthier working environments worldwide.

As Thailand’s automotive industry shifts to electric vehicles and automation, how can companies stay competitive while protecting workers? Georg Leutert of IndustriALL Global Union and Sathirayuth (Max) Sangsuwan of AutoAlliance Thailand discuss how dialogue, trust and responsible business conduct are helping shape the sector’s future.

In this episode of the Future of Work podcast, Anam Butt, technical specialist on gender equality and non-discrimination at the International Labour Organization, discusses a new ILO report on the impact of generative artificial intelligence on the world of work. She explains why women are more exposed than men to the risks associated with this technology, and what this means for equality in the l...

In this episode of the Future of Work podcast, we unpack the ILO’s new Employment and Social Trends 2026 report with its lead author, Stefan Kühn, and ILO trade expert Marva Corley. Together, they explore why labour markets look stable yet remain fragile – and what this means for job quality, inequality, and the future of work.

This episode of the ILO Future of Work’s special series on the Second World Summit for Social Development examines the implications of the Summit’s renewed commitment to eradicating poverty, promoting decent work, and social inclusion, on the world work, with guests Juan Somavia, Sabina Alkire and Manuela Tomei.

In this episode of the Future of Work podcast, the ILO's Claire Courteille-Mulder explains why the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha matters, and what’s at stake for social development, multilateralism, and the ILO’s mission to advance social justice.

Ahead of the World Summit for Social Development, the ILO is launching a special podcast series. In this first episode, Sabina Alkire of Oxford University and ILO’s Manuela Tomei discuss progress and gaps since the 1995 commitment to advance social development for all.

In this episode of the Future of Work podcast, ILO Research and Publications Director Caroline Fredrickson explains what the ILO’s new report on social justice reveals about global progress, the challenges that remain, and how leaders can build fairer and more resilient societies.

In this episode of the Future of Work podcast, the ILO’s Laura Addati and Omani representative Khadija Al Mawali explain the impact of the parental leave gap between mothers and fathers, and show how Oman is bridging that gap.

In this episode of the Future of Work podcast, ILO economists Sabrina de Gobbi and Stefan Kühn explore what a shrinking European labour force means for the future of work, and the policies that can help labour markets adapt.

What does it take to empower rural youth in Africa’s agriculture sector? In this episode of the ILO’s Future of Work podcast, we hear from Clara Kamlomo, a young agri-entrepreneur from Malawi, and youth employment expert Chiara Curcio.

The Maritime Labour Convention – or MLC, 2006 - is a living example of the central role that effective social dialogue plays in shaping labour standards in the maritime sector. This episode of the Future of Work podcast explores why the MLC is a success and what we can learn from it. Guests include Mark Dickinson, the Seafarers’ spokesperson, ILO Special Tripartite Committee of the Maritime Labour...

This Future of Work podcast, recorded live from the 113th International Labour Conference, examines the key issues on the agenda of the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development in November 2025, in light of the current global context and the challenges facing multilateralism. Guests include Claire Courteille-Mulder and Shahra Razavi from the ILO, and Adriana Rodrigues Martins from the M...

This Future of Work podcast, recorded at the 113th International Labour Conference, looks at how to speed up progress on Sustainable Development Goal 8. Representatives of government, employers and workers discuss what’s needed to get decent work and inclusive growth back on track. The guests are Sangheon Lee, Director of the ILO's Employment Policy Department; Roberto Suárez Santos, Secretary-Gen...

As the world moves towards greener economies, the global shift to renewable energy and climate-resilient development raises urgent questions about fairness, inclusion and jobs. This Future of Work podcast explores how governments can lead just transitions—ensuring that the move to low-carbon economies creates decent work, protects vulnerable workers and communities, and leaves no one behind. Podca...

This episode of the Future of Work podcast, recorded live at the 113th International Labour Conference, explores how digitalization and artificial intelligence are reshaping the world of work. Building on some of the latest ILO research and analysis, the podcast looks at policy recommendations and the ILO’s role in promoting inclusive digital transformation, ensuring that no one is left behind. Gu...

In this episode of the ILO’s Future of Work podcast, recorded live from the 113th International Labour Conference in Geneva, we explore how workers’ and employers’ organizations are working hand-in-hand with over 16 partner organizations worldwide — including in the Philippines — to promote green jobs, strengthen social dialogue, and build more resilient, inclusive economies. Guests include Ariel...