Statement by Marina Elvira Calderone, Minister of labour and social policies (Italy), Plenary session of the International Labour...

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Chairperson, distinguished delegates, dear colleagues,

In an international context marked by geopolitical tensions and profound changes, the role of the ILO has never been more crucial in developing shared responses and promoting decent and inclusive working conditions for all. As a founding Member State, our country has, in fact, consistently provided financial support ever since as far back as 1919, and we are the seventh largest contributor to the budget. At the same time, Italy attaches the utmost importance to international labour standards and regulations, and has always been committed to consistently ratifying and implementing them, with the full involvement of public authorities and social partners.

We have ratified all the core conventions and, more recently, the 2014 Protocol to Convention No. 29 of 1930 concerning forced labour, thereby further strengthening our commitment to combating all forms of labour exploitation, with a particular focus on combating child labour. We are closely monitoring the organisation's reform process, as we firmly believe it is essential to preserve the integrity of its mission to promote decent work.

Particular attention should be paid to the issues under discussion in the three technical committees, whose work is drawing to a close and in which we have played an active role in order to reach agreed solutions. Particular importance is attached to the Committee for the Adoption of an International Convention, supplemented by a recommendation on workers' protection in the digital platform economy. It is important to promote the sustainable development of the sector through a clear, consistent and shared international regulatory framework.

It is crucial to promote decent working conditions by ensuring a full balance between innovation, competitiveness and workers' rights. With regard to the Committee for a Transformative Agenda for Gender Equality in the World of Work, we reaffirm our commitment to combating all forms of discrimination. This is not merely a matter of social justice and inclusion in the workplace, but also a key driver of economic growth and sustainable development.

We continue to support efforts to eliminate inequalities, ensure equal opportunities and equal pay, and promote the equal sharing of care responsibilities between men and women, whilst fostering integrated strategies aimed at achieving full and qualified participation in the labour market. Social dialogue plays a key role in promoting social justice and ensuring that the labour market and institutions are adaptable and resilient in responding to the opportunities and challenges arising from digitalisation, artificial intelligence, the green transition and demographic change, ensuring freedom of association, strengthening collective bargaining, an objective embodied in the principle of a fair wage that we have introduced in Italy, and full respect for fundamental labour principles and rights is a priority, and the Committee on Social Dialogue and Tripartism provides a key forum for discussion. The challenges in the labour market call for collaborative solutions that put people at the centre.

Through the establishment, with my Ministry, of the National Observatory on the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence Systems in the World of Work, Italy aims to develop specific analysis and guidance tools to support the safe, secure, reliable and human-centred adoption of AI in the world of work, in line with the G7 Action Plan adopted in Cagliari in September 2024. These priorities are also reflected in the report of the Director General of the ILO. I would like to thank the representatives of governments and social partners, and I shall conclude by reiterating that the challenges facing the world of work require the contribution of all stakeholders, in order to find concrete, effective and sustainable solutions which can ensure peace, social justice and a future of economic and social well-being that is fair and inclusive.

1-12 June 2026

114th Session of the International Labour Conference