G-20 2019 in Japan (28-29 June): employment and women´s empowerment

G-2019 in Japan. On the 28th and 29th of June 2019, Japan will host its first ever G20 Summit in Osaka.

Future of work

The world of work faces significant changes driven by globalization, digitalization, demographic transitions, and a shift in individual and societal expectations about work and welfare. Under Japanese Presidency, changes in the world of work and how it can enable improvement in the governance of labour market, legal framework, institutions, and policy approaches to increase productivity and to maximize benefits for workers and employers are discussed at the G20 Osaka Summit in June.

Three pillars of discussion are:

1. adapting to demographic change

2. promoting gender equality in labour markets

3. exchanging national policies and practices in response to the new forms of work.

In addition, Labour and Employment Minister’s Meeting, held at Matsuyama city in September, follows up implementation of measures agreed by G20 leaders at the Osaka Summit. Moreover, the importance of tourism and agriculture is underlined as perspective solutions for employment, women’s empowerment and development.

To deal with these issues, Tourism Minister’s Meeting is held in October in Kucchan city, in addition to the Agriculture Minister’s Meeting in Niigata city in May.

Women´s empowerment

Women’s empowerment is essential for achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

Discussions under the Japanese Presidency is made under the following three pillars:

• implementation of G20 commitments including those related to women’s labour participation
• enhancing support for girls’ and women’s education including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) area
• engagement with women business leaders and entrepreneurs.

On women’s labour participation, G20 Leaders committed to the Brisbane Commitment “25 by 25,” to reduce the gender gap in labour force participation by 25 per cent by 2025 at the Brisbane Summit in 2014. Taking effective measures to ensure the implementation of this goal continues to be a priority for the G20.

Further, continued action is necessary in improving the quality of women’s employment, reducing the gender pay gap and protecting women from all forms of gender-based discrimination.

Education plays a key role in realizing women’s empowerment. As digitalization is transforming society, STEM education for girls is crucial. It is also important to take measures to address all forms of gender-based violence, including in the digital context.

To take forward the agreement at the Buenos Aires Summit, discussions focus on how to better engage with women entrepreneurs and business leaders.

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