Build back better: ILO virtual social dialogue on Covid-19

Employer, worker and government representatives gathered at the largest ever online summit organised by the ILO to address the economic and social impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, devastating enterprises and the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people.

Five regional events and three global events took place virtually, starting on 1 and 2 July with the regional sessions. They focused on policies and practices implemented by the regions – Africa, the Americas, the Arab States, Asia-Pacific and Europe – to respond and recover from the economic fallout from the pandemic.

These discussions paved the way for the global events, held on 7-9 July: A Regional Day, wrapping-up all five regional events; Leaders’ Day, featuring video messages from over 50 Heads of State and government, and prominent global employers’ & trade union leaders; and Constituents’ Day, where Ministers and workers’ & employers’ representatives reflected on the previous events and discussed the implementation of the ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work in the context of the pandemic.

On behalf of the employers, a wide range of IOE members had the opportunity to bring the voice of business to the debates. From the importance of an enabling environment for sustainable and resilient enterprises to productive employment, business continuity, job creation, skills development, digitalisation, adequate policy frameworks for companies – particularly SMEs – and tackling informality: the private sector presented the keys to build back better, and highlighted the need to reinforce a realistic, innovative and forward-looking social dialogue.

Employers also systematically stressed the need to strengthen the resilience of social partners, employers’ and workers’ organisations as we move forward in a post-COVID-19 era.

Follow the employers’ participation in the #ILOSummit on our YouTube Channel, Twitter (@ioevoice, @oievoix, @oievoz), Facebook and LinkedIn.

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