Latest news with #GilbertHoungbo
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
ILO chief says US ‘yet' to pay its dues as Trump's ‘America First' policy risks budget cuts
GENEVA, May 29 — The United States is behind in its dues to the International Labour Organization (ILO), but the UN agency's chief said Wednesday he was 'hopeful' they would soon be paid. Washington, under President Donald Trump, has stepped away from several UN agencies and programmes as it pursues an 'America First' policy that spurns multilateral bodies and pacts. 'Have they paid for the current year? Not yet. I always want to add 'yet' – not yet,' ILO chief Gilbert Houngbo told journalists. The ILO – devoted to promoting labour rights and decent employment – was not currently looking to revise its budget. 'It's not something that I'm contemplating,' Houngbo said. Under a February executive order, Trump directed his government to look at withdrawing from the UN Human Rights Council, the UNRWA relief agency for Palestinians, and UNESCO, the UN's education, science and culture agency. He has also pulled the United States out of the Paris climate accord and his country has started the process of withdrawing from the World Health Organization. The move has hit UN agency budgets hard, as the United States is often their biggest donor. Houngbo, a former premier of Togo, said that the ILO stood apart from the other UN agencies in terms of US priorities. 'Maybe I'm biased by saying this (but) the ILO is not necessarily viewed as negative,' he said. He noted that, while the United States had closed some 50 projects at the ILO – forcing the termination of around 200 jobs – it was part of the agency's board which in March approved the next ILO budget. That budget needs to be validated by all 187 member countries in a June 2-13 congress in Geneva. Should the United States – which accounts for 22 percent of the ILO's budget – end up not paying its dues, 'you may have to act accordingly on the worst-case scenario, you may have to consider a revised budget,' Houngbo said. He added that the ILO was about to start a cost-reduction programme that would include voluntary job reductions, moving some operations to cheaper cities elsewhere and using AI for translation work. That tilt was being made under a broader initiative in the UN started in March to improve productivity under tighter budgets. — AFP
Fast Company
3 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
The trade war will cost 7 million jobs in 2025, according to a UN report. Here's the breakdown
The International Labor Organization (ILO), an agency of the United Nations, has downgraded its global employment forecast for 2025, saying 'the global economy is growing at a slower pace than we had anticipated.' In its latest edition of its World Employment and Social Outlook Trends report, the ILO forecast 7 million less jobs would be created in 2025 globally, for a total of 53 million jobs, down from 60 million—based on economic growth projections from the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) April 2025 World Economic Outlook. The numbers translate into slower overall employment growth across the globe in 2025, down to 1.5% from 1.7%; and lower expected GDP growth of 2.8%, down from previous forecasts of 3.2%. 'Our report now tells us that if geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions continue, and if we do not address fundamental questions that are reshaping the world of work, then they will most certainly have negative ripple effects on labor markets worldwide,' ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo said in a statement. The report found the United States was a driving factor in worldwide employment growth, with 84 million jobs across 71 countries 'directly or indirectly tied to U.S. consumer demand, now increasingly at risk of disruption due to elevated trade tensions.' Of those 84 million jobs, 56 million are located in the Asia-Pacific region. However, Canada and Mexico have the highest share of jobs (17.1%) that are exposed to trade disruption. The report does make some recommendations: Houngbo said countries and employers can make a difference 'by strengthening social protection, investing in skills development, promoting social dialogue, and building inclusive labor markets to ensure that technological change benefits all.'
Reuters
3 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
More than 200 jobs cut at International Labour Organization as US slashes funding
GENEVA, May 28 (Reuters) - The Geneva-based International Labour Organization (ILO) has axed about 225 jobs due to cutbacks in U.S. funding at the United Nations agency, its head said on Wednesday. The job losses, which affect posts at the ILO's Geneva headquarters and in the field, follow the U.S. administration's decision to reduce voluntary contributions under President Donald Trump, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo said. "One job loss is too many ... You would not imagine the mood that has generated within my staff," he told reporters in Geneva. The ILO head also raised the possibility of relocating some of the agency's operations out of Geneva, one of the world's most expensive cities, to ease financial pressures, which is also part of broader talks on reform. Potential locations could be European cities such as Turin, Budapest, or Bonn, or further afield in places including Doha and Pretoria, Houngbo said. Short-term contractors and employees at some other U.N. agencies like the International Organization for Migration have already been informed of redundancies. But thousands more job losses could be on the way as international agencies grapple with funding shortages due to the withdrawal of aid by the Trump administration and other donors. "The U.S. is the top contributor for assessed and voluntary contribution, so our challenge is double," Houngbo said, highlighting also a broader pullback in financial support among member states. The U.S. accounts for 22% of the ILO's $880 million two-year budget for 2026-2027, expected to be approved at the ILO's International Labour Conference next week. "Worst case scenario, we may have to consider a revised budget. I don't recall the last time that happened to the ILO," Houngbo said. He said he is developing a business continuity plan in case of further cuts to financial support, and that the ILO will be implementing a freeze on external recruitment, as well as launching a voluntary redundancy programme.
Reuters
4 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
UN labour body cuts global job forecast amid economic slowdown
GENEVA, May 28 (Reuters) - The United Nation's agency for labour on Wednesday cut its global employment forecast for job growth this year to 1.5% due to a worsening global economic outlook and trade tensions. Some 53 million jobs will be created this year, that is seven million less than previously thought as economic growth predictions were lowered to 2.8 per cent, from 3.2 per cent, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said in a report. "Economic uncertainty has been high in 2025, shaped by ongoing conflicts, geo-economic realignments, and trade-related disruptions," the report said. Some of the 84 million jobs across 71 countries that are linked to U.S. consumer demand are increasingly at risk of disruption due to trade tensions, the ILO said. Jobs in Canada and Mexico have the highest share of jobs exposed, it added. "If geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions continue, and if we do not address fundamental questions that are reshaping the world of work, then they will most certainly have negative ripple effects on labour markets worldwide," said the ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo.
Asharq Al-Awsat
30-01-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia Launches Global Labor Market Academy in Partnership with the World Bank
Saudi Arabia has launched the Global Labor Market Academy in partnership with the World Bank, reinforcing its commitment to global transformation and addressing labor market gaps. The announcement was made by Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi during the second edition of the International Labor Market Conference, held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh. Under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the conference brought together 40 labor ministers from countries including the G20, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas, alongside ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo and over 5,000 participants and 200 speakers from more than 100 countries. Al-Rajhi highlighted the global unemployment rate, which reached 11.3% in the third quarter of 2024, calling it a cause for concern, especially as it surged to 24% in some member countries. He emphasized the need for proactive measures to address rapid technological advancements, demographic shifts, and emerging challenges such as climate adaptation. In Saudi Arabia, the private sector workforce has exceeded 12 million employees, with the number of Saudi nationals employed rising from 1.7 million in 2020 to over 2.4 million in 2023, adding 724,000 new jobs for Saudis. Since its establishment last year, the International Labor Market Conference has become a leading platform for shaping the future of global labor markets. Al-Rajhi noted that 67 million young people worldwide are unemployed, and 20% of individuals aged 15–24 are neither working, studying, nor in training. Additionally, 40% of employers struggle to fill positions due to skill mismatches, with youth unemployment exceeding 30% in some regions. Saudi Arabia has introduced several initiatives under Vision 2030 to empower its workforce, including training programs, legislative reforms, and a national youth development strategy. As a result, the country's unemployment rate dropped to 3.7% by the end of 2024, down from 5.7% in 2020, while women's labor force participation increased to 36%, surpassing Vision 2030 targets. Al-Rajhi announced two major initiatives: the launch of the Global Labor Market Academy, headquartered in Riyadh, which will serve as a hub for training and knowledge exchange, and the Future Outlook Report, which will provide data-driven insights and innovative strategies to bridge skill gaps and promote lifelong learning. ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo stressed the importance of creating better employment conditions for young people, particularly in fields like technology and artificial intelligence (AI). He urged policymakers to develop strategies that prioritize decent jobs and sustainable employment. Houngbo emphasized that the conference discussions would focus on youth skill development in an era of rapid technological progress and ensuring equal opportunities for young people across all regions. Safaa El-Tayeb El-Kogali, World Bank Director for the GCC, highlighted the significance of the Global Labor Market Academy, stating that it offers a unique opportunity for policymakers to enhance their skills and address shared labor market challenges. She noted that the academy and the Global Labor Market Observatory will play a critical role in fostering international cooperation and sharing best practices between countries with different economic conditions. During the ministerial roundtable, attended by 40 labor ministers, Al-Rajhi announced a comprehensive vision to enhance labor market resilience and inclusivity. The plan focuses on facilitating youth transitions from education to employment, preparing the workforce for AI-driven changes, and increasing investment in human capital development. It also emphasizes enhancing labor market flexibility, including remote and gig work, supporting SME growth to boost job creation, and utilizing technology and skills-matching platforms. Additionally, it promotes the employment of marginalized groups, such as people with disabilities and long-term unemployed individuals, while establishing a comprehensive labor market data system to track employment trends and workforce dynamics. The Global Labor Market Academy and its initiatives mark a significant step in Saudi Arabia's efforts to modernize labor markets, address global employment challenges, and foster sustainable economic growth.
