On the World Day for Decent Work, Oliver Röpke, Director of the ILO’s Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV), reflects on the challenges facing workers and young people in a rapidly changing world of work. Rising inequality, geopolitical tensions, climate change and new technologies are reshaping the world of work and creating new forms of insecurity and exclusion. With millions of young people unemployed or outside employment, education and training, ensuring access to decent jobs, rights at work and social protection is more urgent than ever. Watch the full video here: youtube.com/watch?v=XPPVbJEZ… @oliverroepke – at Geneva, Switzerland

At the European Democracy Summit, ILO ACTRAV Director @oliverroepke highlighted a message with global relevance: economic resilience and democratic trust must be rooted in #SocialJustice, DecentWork and workers’ voice.

ACTRAV Director @oliverroepke met with trade union leaders at the @ilo this week. During a visit organised under the HK Denmark Leadership Programme, discussions focused on the ILO's role in promoting International Labour Standards and advancing social justice and decent work worldwide. Oliver also spoke at the @IUFglobal Agricultural Workers' Sector Group Conference, where he reaffirmed ACTRAV's support for sectoral trade unions and for agricultural workers, many of whom work in rural and informal economies.

Happening Now! Join this important session of the Global Social Partners'Academy: Shaping AI at Work-Social Dialogue for Fair and Human -Centred AI Transitions organized by the Programmes for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV) and Employers’ Activities (ACTEMP). Join @oliverroepke (Director, ACTRAV) and @mpanzorreguy (Director, ACT/EMP) for an open dialogue session. itcilo-org.zoom.us/j/6909615…

During his visit to Windhoek, ACTRAV Director @oliverroepke met with @UN and Namibian authorities to advance discussions on social protection and pension reform, with a strong focus on the role of trade unions. Together with an @ilo delegation, he discussed the implementation of the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions and how workers’ organizations can contribute to an inclusive and effective national pension system. Meetings with the Ministry of Finance highlighted the importance of international labour standards, including ILO Convention No. 102, in building a sustainable and inclusive social security system. In discussions with Parliament’s Committee on Poverty Alleviation, Labour and Industrial Relations, Röpke reaffirmed the ILO’s commitment to social dialogue and strong workers’ organizations so that pension reform delivers meaningful protection for all workers.

What can workers’ organizations do to support quality apprenticeships? ✅ Shape and govern apprenticeship systems ✅ Protect apprentices’ rights ✅ Prevent misuse ✅ Promote inclusion ✅ Ensure recognized qualifications and decent work A new @ILO practical guide shows how trade unions can turn the ILO Quality Apprenticeships Recommendation, 2023 (No. 208) into concrete action. Learn more 👇 tinyurl.com/4pwj59h2

During his mission to Namibia, @oliverroepke , together with the @ilo delegation including Philile Masuku, Director of the ILO Office for Zimbabwe and Namibia, met with government representatives and trade union leaders in Windhoek to discuss key labour and social protection priorities. A field visit with the Minister of Justice and Labour Relations, Hon. Wise Emmanuel Philemon, provided an opportunity to exchange views on Namibia's ongoing pension reform process, including developments related to the National Pension Fund and National Benefit Fund. Oliver welcomed the progress achieved and reaffirmed the ILO's support for the government's commitment to advancing these reforms. In discussions with ministry officials, including Aune Mudjanima, Acting Executive Director, Oliver emphasized the importance of social dialogue in building consensus around reform processes. He stressed that workers' organizations must be equipped to participate effectively in the design, implementation and monitoring of social protection policies. Oliver also met with the leadership of the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) and the Trade Union Congress of Namibia (TUCNA). He encouraged unity and renewal within the labour movement, reaffirmed the vital role of trade unions in promoting social justice and democratic governance, and commended Namibia's leadership as a pathfinder country under the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions.

In a meeting with Natalia Plugaru, Minister of Labour and Social Protection, ACTRAV Director @oliverroepke stressed the importance of social dialogue and tripartite cooperation in shaping legislation on leave, minimum wages and taxation. Discussions also covered the role of social partners in Moldova's EU integration process.

How can trade unions in Africa and the Americas build stronger alliances? In São Paulo, ACTRAV Director @oliverroepke highlighted three priorities: -Practical cooperation -Stronger advocacy for workers -More effective and influential organizations 🎥 Watch: Oliver Röpke on strengthening trade union cooperation across Africa and the Americas youtube.com/shorts/WISx--fSr…

“Workers’ organizations are not external stakeholders; they are @ilo constituents.” At the @ilo_pretoria Office, ACTRAV Director @oliverroepke reaffirmed that workers' voices must be at the centre of shaping labour policies and programmes across Africa. He also highlighted social dialogue, trade union renewal, formalization, migrant workers' rights, the digital transition and the #OneILO approach as key to advancing social justice and decent work.

"As technology transforms work, workers must help shape the rules that govern it." Speaking in Johannesburg, ACTRAV Director @oliverroepke highlighted the importance of workers' engagement on AI, platform work, algorithmic management, data rights, skills development and collective bargaining. He welcomed stronger South-South cooperation among trade unions as an investment in solidarity and thanked the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) for its longstanding partnership with ACTRAV in strengthening trade union capacity across Asia, the Pacific and Africa.