At the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting (LEMM) held in George, South Africa, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo urged global leaders to renew their ambition in tackling inequality and to prioritize the inclusion of young people and women in labour markets. Speaking under the overarching theme of Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability, Houngbo welcomed the G20’s new commitments aimed at promoting social justice through the creation of decent work opportunities.
One of the meeting’s key outcomes was the adoption of the Nelson Mandela Bay Youth Target, which builds upon the 2014 Antalya Goal. The new pledge aims to reduce the percentage of young people aged 15–29 who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET) by an additional 5 percent by 2030. This goal underscores the G20’s commitment to youth inclusion in labour markets and calls for strengthened strategies around technical education, vocational training, entrepreneurship, and targeted support for vulnerable youth, including young women and those with disabilities.
Ministers also agreed on the Brisbane–eThekwini Goal, which includes commitments to close the gender labour force participation gap by 25 percent by 2030 and reduce the gender pay gap by 15 percent by 2035. These goals will be supported through initiatives that promote equal pay for equal work, expanded investment in care services, and efforts to dismantle structural barriers that prevent women’s full economic participation.
In his keynote address, Houngbo emphasized that addressing gender and youth disparities in employment is not only a matter of fairness but also a major economic opportunity. He stressed that closing these gaps would unlock vast potential to spur economic growth, improve inclusion, and raise living standards across G20 economies.
The Ministerial Declaration, developed with ILO technical support, highlights key labour standards such as freedom of association, collective bargaining, and tripartite social dialogue as essential for ensuring fair distribution of productivity gains. It also underscores the importance of bridging digital divides and using digital tools to enhance the effectiveness of social protection systems. Ministers showed support for ongoing ILO-led efforts to set new standards for decent work in the platform economy.
Additionally, the Ministers acknowledged the ILO–OECD Women at Work and Youth at Work reports presented during the meeting and encouraged continued monitoring and reporting on progress toward the newly established goals.
Concluding his remarks, Houngbo called for bolder collective action to translate principles of solidarity, equality, and sustainability into practical outcomes. He urged the international community to turn social justice from a policy commitment into a lived reality for all workers.
The G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting took place on 30–31 July 2025 in George, South Africa.
