By Denis Pennel for staffingamericalatina

Employers from around the world will gather in Bahrain in October for the first ever Annual Global Employers’ Summit. Organised by the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), the Summit will draw delegates from national employers’ federations as well as global bodies such as the OECD and ILO and explore core themes common to employers everywhere including trade, jobs and growth and inclusion and diversity. It will also focus on the challenge of youth unemployment and how to get 75m young people around the globe into the world of work. As a strong partner of the IOE, Ciett has also been asked to participate and address the conference.

ILO director general, Guy Ryder, will set the tone for the two-day event with his keynote speech: Predicting the Unpredictable – the future of work.  Understanding the new world of work is crucial for employers across the globe. In today’s volatile economies we are witnessing job creation and destruction on an unprecedented scale and organisations are faced with increasing challenges as they seek to find, train and retain people with the skills they need to drive their businesses forward.

The very nature of work and the way it is viewed by both employers and employees has changed significantly in just one generation. Gone are the days of a job for life, today’s labour market is in a constant state of flux and employers require agility and flexibility as they look to respond to the ebb and flow of demand.

The ILO’s Employment & Social Outlook 2015 (WESO) clearly showed that only 17% of workers have an open ended contract. The so-called “a-typical” is in fact typical. In the OECD area today, about 19% of jobs are for shorter than 12 months, while 33% last no longer than 3 years. Only 53% of workers are in their job for longer than 5 years. There has been a shift in attitudes as to where, when and how work is undertaken. Balancing the needs of business and employers with the expectations and aspirations of workers will be crucial as we look to the future.

Ciett President Annemarie Muntz will address the Conference on the topic of inclusion and participation, while I am asked to speak on Labour migration and facilitating free movement of workers. We will both try to show how the employment and recruitment industry supports organisations in navigating the changing world of work in a number of ways.

Firstly, Ciett members enable adaptation and create agility. They provide workforce solutions and innovative HR practices that adapt the workforce to the needs of production. This includes developing skills through apprenticeships and training and increasing work mobility. The involvement of our industry creates confidence for organisations as it increases business competitiveness and leaves them free to focus on their core business, safe in the knowledge that their HR needs are being fulfilled.

Our industry also enables work and fulfils an important role as social integrators. We provide access to employment for a wide range of people – from first-time jobs to the unemployed and those returning to work and we facilitate transitions within the workplace. By creating more work opportunities our industry reduces unemployment, fights undeclared work and increases labour market participation. This all increases inclusiveness of society and brings hope to workers and the wider community.

As a consequence of enabling adaptation and work, the recruitment and employment sector also enables prosperity and is a driver of growth. We support employment by responding quickly to economic growth and allowing businesses to take on staff with fewer risks. This reduces the money paid in unemployment benefit from the public budget and it results in social charges and taxes as well as sales revenue for the industry. Therefore it fosters social mobility and contributes to the sustainability of the business world which creates a feeling of pride for everyone.

As trusted labour market advisors our industry also enables security. We empower people by improving their employability and assisting them throughout their working lives. Increasingly we work in partnership with the public employment services and provide holistic solutions to jobseekers. And our sector is a trendspotter of the future of the labour market. It provides risk management solutions and reconciles the need for flexibility with the protection of workers. By facilitating transitions in the labour market we contribute to employment security for all and create trust among employers and employees alike.

As work and employment specialists we are taking a lead in a changing world of work. The new ‘normal’ is already here and in the developed world some 30% of workers are already employed under contracts other than full-time (ILO WESO). This figure rises to some 85% in the developing world. I am convinced that this new reality brings opportunities as well as challenges and our industry is working alongside organisations and people in navigating this brave new world of work.

About Denis Pennel

Managing Director of Ciett and Eurociett, Denis Pennel is a labour market expert with deep knowledge and years of experience relating to employment at global and EU levels. He recently published “Travailler pour soi”, a book about the new realities of work.

Follow Denis on Twitter @PennelDenis

About CIETT

As the International Confederation of Private Employment Services, Ciett is the authoritative voice representing the interests of agency work businesses. Founded in 1967, Ciett consists of 51 national federations of private employment agencies and eight of the largest staffing companies worldwide. Its main objectives are twofold: to help its members conduct their businesses in a legal and regulatory environment that is positive and supportive; to gain recognition for the positive contribution the industry brings to better functioning labour markets.

Follow Ciett on Twitter @ciett_waytowork