Published on 2nd June 2025
From June 2 to 13, employment aficionados’ attention turns to Geneva as the International Labour Conference (ILC) convenes once again. Hosted annually by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the ILC is often dubbed the “parliament of labour,” bringing together representatives from governments, employers, and workers to set international labour standards and shape the future of work.
This year, two pressing issues are at the forefront of the agenda: the regulation of platform work and the transition from informal to formal employment. Both topics are of critical importance to the HR services industry and will be closely followed by the World Employment Confederation (WEC), which is sending a delegation to participate in the discussions. WEC has gathered a delegation of members to take part in the discussions. In this respect we collaborate strongly with the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), an international organisation that helps all national and sectoral employers’ associations speak with one voice.
Platform Work: Yes to Regulation, No to Simplification
As the platform economy is booming, the ILC is launching a process to establish global standards for this new form of providing services. Key concerns include the misclassification of workers, lack of social protections, ambiguous employment relationships, limited collective bargaining rights, and the need to ensure an appropriate use of algorithms by digital labour platforms.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is proposing a Convention and a Recommendation as legal instruments to regulate platform work. Debates are expected to focus on the general approach and legal instruments chosen and the definitions. There is no common definition of platform work, and the platform economy remains fairly diverse. This must be reflected in a global standard on digital labour platforms.
Another point of contention is the classification of platform workers—whether they should be considered employees or self-employed. Working conditions are largely linked to the employment status. Employers emphasize the importance of not hampering the economic potential of digital labour platforms while respecting fundamental rights, including social protection and freedom of association, and stress the need to balance global standards with national circumstances.
“The ILC discussion on a global standard for platform work is crucial for the future growth of the HR services industry. Our aim is to safeguard a level playing field between digital labour platforms and private employment services and ensure that this new way of providing services benefits both workers and companies,” explains Michael Freytag, Public Affairs Manager at the World Employment Confederation.
The standard-setting discussions will not be over after the two weeks of the ILC. Such a process typically stretches over two years, and afterwards, countries still have to ratify the Convention and put the instruments into practice.
Informality: Temporary Work Isn’t the Problem—It’s Part of the Solution
The other item on the agenda that will keep the WEC delegation mobilised is informality. The ILC seeks to explore the root causes of informality, identify barriers to formal employment, and highlight successful policies from around the world. The preparatory report worryingly assesses that employees in temporary positions are at a considerably higher risk of informal employment compared to those on open-ended contracts. Additionally, the report does not clearly distinguish between temporary work and temporary agency work.
WEC’s delegation therefore enters the ILC with a clear mission to have the potential of temporary agency work in reducing informal employment, as well as the effective practices implemented by HR services to ensure formal and compliant work, acknowledged. Beatrice Miano, Public Affairs Adviser at the World Employment Confederation: “Diverse forms of work are not part of the problem. They are the solution! We will bring to the ILC concrete examples of how agency work has helped several countries reduce their level of informal work. Labour market reforms that unlock the potential of private employment agencies and ensure compliance and enforcement are essential to fight informality.”
Follow us on LinkedIn throughout the two weeks of the ILC to get the latest updates on the discussions, learn more about the process and understand how this policy pow-wow might affect the future growth of the HR services industry.
