Last week, the International Labor Organization (ILO) convened a sectoral meeting on “Digitalization in the Retail Sector as an Engine for Economic Recovery and Decent Work.” The meeting brought together experts from around the world to discuss the rapid transformations in the retail sector and how to harness the potential of digitalization to advance post-pandemic recovery and decent work globally. The week-long meeting in Geneva resulted in a set of Conclusions, adopted by consensus.
USCIB Director of Corporate Responsibility and Labor Affairs Ewa Staworzynska served as the spokesperson on behalf of the Employers Group, representing business from all regions.
“Digitalization in the retail sector has brought new innovations and technologies and allowed for new jobs to be created,” said Staworzynska. “Digitalization is also facilitating formalization of work, which is important since many of the 420 million people employed in retail operate in the informal sector. Digitalization truly is a catalyst for economic growth and decent work,” she said.
According to Staworzynska, the negotiations were between employers, workers and government delegates, in line with the tripartite structure of the ILO. Several USCIB member companies were present as advisors to the employer delegation.
As a follow-up to the sectoral meeting, the ILO has been asked to continue promoting ratification of ILO instruments and providing technical assistance to Member States. The ILO was also asked to build capacities of its tripartite constituents to develop strategies for greater investment in digital technologies for enterprises and for the promotion of skills development programs, among others. They are also expected to share good practices and collect data on social inclusion and how harnessing digitalization can advance formalization and social dialogue in the sector.