Labor's Agenda in Geneva: ILO Meetings and the Future of Work
· Halil ETYEMEZ
The International Labour Organization (ILO) convenes global stakeholders to discuss the evolving landscape of work, focusing on technological shifts, platform economies, and social justice.
Once again, the world's eyes are on Geneva these days... The meetings of the International Labour Organization (ILO) are once again bringing together state representatives, labor unions, public employee unions, employer organizations, and all parties involved in working life around the same table. In fact, ILO meetings are not just ordinary bureaucratic gatherings where technical agendas are discussed. Here, the future of labor, the transformation of working life, the concept of social justice, decent work for all, and the new global work balances are discussed. I have had the opportunity to attend ILO meetings, follow the general assembly proceedings, hold discussions with international delegations, and observe important topics related to working life firsthand, both during my tenure as Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Security and during my parliamentary period. In particular, speaking at the ILO General Assembly on behalf of Turkey during my term as Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Security was a significant responsibility and a valuable experience for me. Because it is not just an institution that is represented there. At the same time, the country's perspective on labor, its understanding of the social state, its accumulation of experience in working life, and its human-centered approach are represented. Seeing the atmosphere in Geneva up close clearly shows one thing: the world of work is undergoing a major transformation. It's no longer just about wages. It's not just about working hours. It's not just about collective bargaining. Today, the world is discussing artificial intelligence, digital platforms, algorithms managing employees, the transformation of professions, migration, women's labor, youth unemployment, and the future of social security systems. One of the topics that stood out on the ILO agenda this year, in particular, was the legal status of people working in the platform economy. Because millions of people are now working outside the classic workplace düzeni. A new labor model is emerging, working through digital platforms. In many areas, systems, not people, now direct employees. On some platforms today: wages are determined by algorithms, job distribution is done by the system, performance is measured by artificial intelligence, and in some cases, automation even affects dismissal processes. Therefore, 'labor in the digital age,' 'new generation trade unionism,' and the concept of 'human-centered technology' have begun to be discussed much more at ILO meetings. In fact, these discussions are not just technical matters. These issues are also related to the future of humanity. Because as technology grows, humans should not shrink. Working life is not just an economic field. It is also the center of social peace, justice, and societal balance. One of the most important aspects of the ILO is the understanding of the 'tripartite structure.' The state, labor, and employers can discuss around the same table. In this respect, the ILO is not just an international organization but also the institutionalized form of social dialogue culture on a global scale. From Turkey's perspective, there are quite important issues ahead of us. Areas such as informal employment, youth unemployment, the transformation of professions, the union structure of public employees, the collective bargaining system, migration and labor relations, the effects of artificial intelligence on working life, and the sustainability of the social security system will be the main agenda items for the coming period. It is now clearly seen that in the age of artificial intelligence, some professions will transform, some job areas will disappear, and new working models will emerge. One of the most important issues in this process is maintaining social balance. Because when working life deteriorates, not only the economy deteriorates. Societal balance also deteriorates. The sense of belonging weakens. The sense of trust is damaged. Therefore, it is not enough to look at working life solely from a production-centric perspective. There is a need for a human-centered approach. I have always tried to interpret the meetings held in Geneva from this perspective. Because the issues discussed there shape not only the present but also the future. Today, the world is moving towards a new work order. And it seems that one of the biggest debates of the coming period will be the balance between humans and technology. If this balance is not established correctly, technology can transform from a tool that facilitates humans into a system that manages humans. Therefore, when discussing working life in the new era, we must consider not only production but also justice, dignity, labor, humanity, family, social peace, and societal balance together. Because labor is not just an economic issue. Labor is also the way humans exist. I hope the ILO meetings will be beneficial to the participants and stakeholders. May you forgive me. May God keep you safe.