Prospects ILO

Public employment services are central to helping people navigate labour market transitions, access decent work, and connect with the opportunities they need.

The ITCILO course “Shaping and managing effective employment services” will bring together PES managers and labour/employment officials for a one-week, face-to-face programme in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 22–26 June 2026.

The course focuses on practical strategies to strengthen employment service systems, including:

• service delivery models for jobseekers and employers
• active labour market policies
• partnerships and public-private dialogue
• management, leadership, HR and performance culture
• digital innovation and the opportunities of AI for employment services

It is designed for strategic and operational managers of Public Employment Services, as well as officials working on employment services and labour market programmes.

Apply or learn more: https://www.itcilo.org/courses/shaping-and-managing-effective-employment-services

Shaping and managing effective employment services | ITCILO While the world economies have made considerable progress in recovery post the covid-19 pandemic, decent work deficits persist or are worsening especially in some regions. Recent ILO estimates warn that the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) may be in jeopardy if the current t...

Ahead of the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference, Uganda is advancing social dialogue on decent work in the platform economy.

With support from the ILO PROSPECTS programme, the National Organisation of Trade Unions convened a national dialogue in Kampala on 14 May 2026 to strengthen workers’ representation and contribute to Uganda’s position for the upcoming ILC discussions.

The dialogue brought together workers’ organizations, platform workers, service providers, government, social partners, UNHCR, researchers and regional experts to discuss key priorities, including fair remuneration, transparent automated systems, occupational safety and health, access to dispute resolution, freedom of association and collective bargaining, and the extension of social security to platform workers.

A key outcome was a shared Uganda trade union position on the proposed ILO Convention and Recommendation on decent work in the platform economy, submitted as a contribution to Uganda’s national preparations for the Conference discussions in Geneva.

As digital labour markets evolve, social dialogue is essential to ensure innovation supports decent work, social justice and inclusive labour markets.

Read more: https://www.ilo.org/resource/news/national-dialogue-uganda-calls-stronger-protections-platform-workers

National dialogue in Uganda calls for stronger protections for platform workers With support from the ILO PROSPECTS programme, the National Organisation of Trade Unions convened a national dialogue in Kampala to strengthen workers’ representation and contribute to Uganda’s position ahead of International Labour Conference discussions on decent work in the platform economy.

📊 New report released: Skills profiling of Syrian refugees in Lebanon

This joint ILO–UNHCR Lebanon assessment examines the skills, employment situations, and training needs of 1,069 Syrian refugees across Lebanon.

The findings reveal a clear demand for employment and skills development opportunities, but also persistent challenges:
🔹 Low access to formal employment
🔹 Gaps between TVET programmes and labour market needs
🔹 Limited job matching and career support services
🔹 Additional barriers affecting women’s participation in the labour market

The report emphasizes the importance of targeted, gender-responsive, and evidence-based interventions that strengthen employability, livelihoods, and resilience.

📄 Read the report: https://www.ilo.org/publications/skills-profiling-syrian-refugees-lebanon

📢 New publication: Skills profiling of Syrian returnees

A new ILO–UNHCR assessment based on 5,335 survey responses across four Syrian governorates highlights the urgent need for inclusive, localised, and market-aligned skills programmes to support sustainable reintegration and employment opportunities for Syrian returnees.

Key findings:
🔹 Over 80% of respondents were unemployed at the time of the survey
🔹 Limited access to TVET, certification, and social protection
🔹 Gaps in digital, technical, and entrepreneurship skills
🔹 Persistent gender disparities and strong regional differences

The report calls for scalable and demand-driven training programmes that strengthen employability, resilience, and decent work opportunities.

📄 Read the report: https://www.ilo.org/publications/skills-profiling-syrian-returnees