Published on 17th June 2025
Discussions at the 2025 session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) on innovative approaches to addressing informality concluded with a constructive and balanced outcome, with explicit recognition of the role of private employment services in facilitating transitions to formal employment and therefore achieving decent work.
Every year, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) brings together representatives from governments, employers, and workers’ organisations from around the world to its headquarters in Switzerland to discuss the pressing issues affecting the world of work. According to the latest ILO estimates, approximately 57.14% of the global workforce is engaged in informal employment, leaving those workers without legal protections, social security, or stable income, while also limiting economic growth and deepening inequality.
The ILC’s discussions focused on innovative approaches to moving away from informal employment, and the delegation of the World Employment Confederation (WEC) had it as its main mission to get the private employment services industry credited for its role in creating pathways to formal and decent work. In Latin America, for example, about 40-60% of agency workers were in informal employment before their first placement.
The conclusions adopted at the ILC highlight “strengthening public services and public employment services and private employment agencies” as a measure enabling an environment for transition to formality. “This recognition by a global policy body is a major milestone for our industry, affirming our role in promoting formal and decent work,” rejoices Beatrice Miano, Public Affairs Adviser at the World Employment Confederation. “Too often, flexible forms of work are still misunderstood as insecure. This marks a shift toward a more nuanced view of labour markets and the value of all stakeholders in driving better outcomes for all.”
The adopted conclusions further stress the value of skills development, lifelong learning, upskilling and reskilling as drivers to reduce informality and to promote decent work for all. The HR services industry fully supports those solutions and WEC members are actively engaged in promoting them through innovative approaches like bipartite training funds, career guidance and labour mobility solutions.
The resolution adopted by the ILC will be submitted to the ILO Governing Body for review and adoption of any appropriate follow-up actions. These could include the possible development of new international labour standards, such as a Convention or a Recommendation.
Informality was just one of many key topics addressed at the International Labour Conference 2025. The WEC delegation also played an active role in negotiations toward a global standard on platform work and participated in the annual forum of the Global Coalition for Social Justice. Read more on what we achieved!
