ILO Opens Gig Work Talks Amid US Funding Row

What Happened

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has opened formal negotiations on gig work at its International Labour Conference, marking a significant step toward establishing international standards for platform workers. The talks coincided with a deepening dispute over US funding to the organisation, introducing financial uncertainty into the conference proceedings. Separately, the ILO addressed the growing challenge of artificial intelligence in the workplace, stating that gains from AI must benefit workers. Education International also participated in the conference, bringing educators’ perspectives to bear on the intersection of labour and education policy at the global level.

Why It Matters

The ILO’s gig work negotiations carry substantial policy weight, as any resulting standards could shape the legal and regulatory frameworks governing millions of platform workers worldwide. Gig and platform labour has expanded rapidly across member states, yet workers in this sector frequently lack the protections afforded to traditional employees — making international standard-setting a pressing policy priority. The US funding dispute adds a layer of institutional uncertainty, as the ILO’s operational capacity depends on contributions from major member states.

Meanwhile, the ILO’s intervention on artificial intelligence reflects a broader and intensifying policy challenge: governments and employers are under growing pressure to ensure that automation does not erode workers’ rights or displace employment without adequate safeguards. The participation of Education International further underscores that labour policy increasingly intersects with education and workforce development, particularly as technological change reshapes skill demands across economies.

What Might Happen

According to the framing provided by the ILO conference proceedings, outcomes from the gig work negotiations could influence national legislation in member states, potentially prompting governments to revise domestic labour laws to align with any new international standards. The ILO has indicated that if the US funding dispute is not resolved, it may constrain the organisation’s ability to implement programmes and deliver on its mandate — a risk that could undermine the practical impact of any agreements reached at the conference.

On artificial intelligence, the ILO’s position suggests that the discussions are expected to generate recommendations that governments and employers may be pressed to adopt, according to the ILO’s stated objectives for the conference. Education International’s engagement with the conference may also shape how education policy is linked to labour protections going forward, though the precise outcomes of that dialogue remain to be seen.