G7 Labour Ministers Reaffirm Commitment to AI Integration

The G7 Labour and Employment Ministers (LEMM) have renewed their support for the Global Coalition for Social Justice, led by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The coalition highlights the importance of an inclusive approach to the changing world of work. At the meeting, the role of social dialogue and collective bargaining in the development and deployment of AI was emphasized. 

Gilbert Houngbo, Director General, ILO, commended the ministers for their endorsement of the G7 Action Plan, which promotes the safe and trustworthy integration of AI into the workplace. He noted that a human-centered approach to AI could improve job quality by creating new employment opportunities, enhancing productivity, and raising safety and health standards. However, he cautioned that achieving an equitable distribution of technological benefits requires well-designed policies, effective regulatory measures, and robust social dialogue.

The meeting also featured a joint statement from Labour 7 and Business 7, representing trade unions and employers' organizations within the G7. The statement, titled Shaping the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence through Social Dialogue, advocates for a balanced approach to AI that incorporates feedback from both labor and business sectors.

Houngbo also addressed the need for responsive and inclusive skills policies, emphasizing that future labor markets should be dynamic and just. He stressed the importance of effective lifelong learning systems that promote inclusion and challenge gender biases in occupational roles.

In discussions about the care sector and workplace safety, Celeste Drake, Deputy Director General, ILO, underscored the need for decent work conditions to build resilient labor markets, particularly in aging societies. She also highlighted the fundamental right to a safe and healthy working environment.

The G7 meeting will be followed by Canada’s assumption of the G7 presidency at the end of the year.