Guy Ryder, general director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) has left us with some interesting concepts and ideas during his recent visit to Argentina and Uruguay.

Ryder analysed the impact technology has on labour markets. He said that because of technology there is a tendency that will lead to the progressive disappearance of companies that have employers and employees. There will be digital platforms to organize production and exchange services that shall not employ people. These platforms will simply connect people who offer services with people who need services and the relationship between both actors will last as long as it takes to complete the transaction. These are commercial relationships, not labour relationships.

ILO director general pointed out that in the future the basis of competitiveness in labour markets will be knowledge, which results in a greater importance of education. Creating and strengthening dual learning systems is a key issue. Companies must get involved in the development of students’ skills.

Ryder also talked about a well-known concept: decent work. He said that poverty can be tackled by creating and spreading decent work, a key tool to fight against unemployment, particularly among young people who have three times more chances of being unemployed than an adult. The problem, says Ryder, is that not enough jobs are being created in the world to employ the millions of youngsters who try to enter the labour market every year.

The answer to these problems lies in the articulation of the concepts mentioned by Ryder. The future of work involves these ideas and must be developed in a way that includes everyone through decent work and adequate conditions of life and work.