02/11/2016 This content is not up to date

High-Level Conference on the Future of Labour

The conference’s aim is to look at the structural changes in the labour market in the context of globalization and technological progress; to discuss the challenge of EU-wide ensuring minimum social standards at the global level, e.g. with regard to the emergence of the new forms of work. The goal is to move towards politically and economically realistic solutions.


The conference is jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Czech Republic as a contribution to the debate on the future of labour that was initiated by the International Labour Organization last spring.

The organizers’ aim is, first, to explore the structural changes taking place in the labour markets in the context of globalization and technological advance and, second, to discuss various challenging issues such as EU-wide wage convergence or how to secure the minimum social standards on the global level. The purpose of this event is to come closer to politically and economically feasible solutions.

Participation at the conference was confirmed by the Director of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Mr. Guy Ryder. Among other speakers will participate for example Chairman of Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions (CMKOS) Mr. Josef Středula, Chief Advisor of the Prime Minister Mr. Vladimir Špidla or Secretary General of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) Mr. Luca Visentini. The list of invited speakers includes internationally renowned economists, trade unionists and politicians dealing with the announced issues.

The conference will be divided into three panels:

  • Panel 1: Wage convergence in the EU: Can Central Europe ever catch up with Western Europe’s wage levels?
  • Panel 2: Technological change in the world of work?
  • Panel 3: What is the responsibility of ILO members for production conditions in the global market?

The official conference language are Czech and English language.

The conference will take place on November 25, 2016 in the building of Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Registration is possible until November 18, 2016, at kab@mzv.cz. Entrance will be allowed only to registered.

You can find more information about the conference here.