Labour ministers from the G20 nations have agreed on a new set of global targets aimed at tackling persistent labour market inequalities, including youth unemployment and the gender pay gap.
The commitments were adopted at the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting held in George, South Africa, under the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.” The final declaration signals a renewed international push to promote decent work for all, particularly for young people and women.
The ministers endorsed the Nelson Mandela Bay Youth Target, which aims to reduce the number of young people aged 15–29 not in employment, education or training (NEET) by an additional 5% by 2030. This target builds on the G20’s 2014 Antalya Commitment and seeks to fast-track youth integration into the labour market.
To meet the target, the ministers pledged to strengthen national youth employment strategies, expand access to technical and vocational training, support youth entrepreneurship, and prioritise interventions for disadvantaged groups, including young women and youth with disabilities.
In another key decision, the G20 ministers adopted the Brisbane–eThekwini Goal, which commits member countries to reducing the gender labour force participation gap by 25% by 2030 and to narrowing the gender pay gap by 15% by 2035.
The director-general of the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) response, Gilbert Houngbo, said the decisions taken could “chart new paths to social justice through decent work” and push progress in other countries facing similar challenges.
Houngbo said closing gender gaps and creating better opportunities for young people are not just moral obligations but economic necessities. “These gaps remind us there is incredible untapped potential across the G20 to grow economies, foster inclusion and improve living standards,” he said.
To achieve the gender-focused goals, the declaration highlights the need to invest in quality care services, ensure equal pay for work of equal value, and remove structural barriers hindering women’s full participation in the workforce.
The ministers also emphasised the importance of freedom of association, collective bargaining, and tripartite social dialogue as key tools for ensuring workers share fairly in productivity gains.
Recognising the growing influence of technology on labour systems, the declaration calls for closing digital divides and leveraging digital transformation to improve the delivery and transparency of social protection schemes. The ministers also expressed support for ongoing ILO discussions on establishing standards for decent work within the platform economy.
During the meeting, the ILO and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) presented the Women at Work and Youth at Work reports. G20 labour ministers urged both organisations to continue tracking progress on the newly adopted targets and to provide regular updates.
