Today, 7th June, member states of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) agreed to ambitious new plans to boost sustainability and inclusivity in employment, as the UK chaired the first Employment.
The agreement adopted by ministers from all OECD nations, as part of their resolve to develop more varied, sustainable, and robust labor markets, placed a strong emphasis on supporting young people’s careers.
The conversation, moderated by Thérèse Coffey, UK Work and Pensions Secretary, focused on the pandemic’s effects as well as subsequent concerns, including as the rise in the cost of living precipitated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The UK minister briefed her counterparts on the country’s excellent experience in rebuilding a vibrant labor market following the pandemic. According to the most recent figures, the UK has a national unemployment rate of 3.7 percent, the lowest since 1974, with over a million more disabled people employed since 2017.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Thérèse Coffey said:
“The importance of focusing on decent, sustainable and high-quality work for all was shared by international ministers around the table today, along with a commitment to promote life-long learning and build inclusivity in our workforce.”
“As we move on from the pandemic, and face common issues in our labour markets, we must continue to work together to find united solutions and build a fairer and greener global economy.”
After a resolution was made to stop Russia’s participation in OECD activities in March 2022, delegates criticized the ongoing Russian aggression and expressed support with Ukraine.
Last year, the UK’s G7 presidency made it a goal to reintegrate individuals into good, long-term jobs and invest in skills to help the economy recover.
The UK’s ongoing commitment to building a strong and inclusive labor market, including working internationally to address gender pay gaps, was reflected in today’s Employment and Labour Ministerial, which had the official theme of looking beyond the COVID-19 crisis to a better labor market that works for all.
Ministers also agreed to prioritize environmental issues in their plans and assist workers in transitioning to sustainable industries, in line with the UK Prime Minister’s goal of creating millions of green jobs by leveraging both public and private sector funds at the COP26 Climate Change Summit in Glasgow.