"Indeed the ILO and the European Union
share more than 28 Member States.
We share fundamental values and principles
The promotion of a high level of employment,
the endeavour for the constant improvement of peoples’ living and working conditions,
the guarantee of adequate social protection for all,
and the fight against social exclusion are some of our common objectives”.
"It's time that Europe got a triple A rating for its social record,
which we are admittedly still far from achieving.
While it's true that things are going better for Europe from an economic point of view,
the crisis will not be over until we return to full employment.
During all these years of crisis,
European solidarity has been put to the test.
And very often, Europe turned in on itself.
But a navel-gazing Europe,
a Europe which is looking inwards rather than outwards is not the Europe I dream of.
This Europe is one that is capable of welcoming, in a dignified manner,
those who need our help and our protection.
When we negotiated the economic adjustment programme with Greece
for financial assistance in the summer of 2015,
I personally made sure that the social dimension was taken into account.
We also made sure that the International Labour Organization was able to play a role
and provide expertise and advice in the implementation of the reforms.
I would like to thank the Director-General for the organization’s involvement.
We will not let standards slide on health,
work and other principles that we hold dear,
we will safeguard them.
That is why an accord with the United States must contain ambitious commitments
on all fundamental rights at work, in line with ILO conventions.
The ILO is becoming part of all the “Gs”the G20s, the G7s,
and your Director-General is playing a key role.
When talking about the ILO,
I think of the question of decent work
and how it is now recognized as one of the sustainable development goals for 2030.
I think of the Global Initiative for Decent Jobs for Youth,
which is fully aligned with European priorities on youth guarantees and skills development.
I think of your initiative on the future of work, to which the EU will fully contribute.
I know that the world is changing.
It’s changing at an impressive pace,
and it’s the world of work that is probably changing faster than ever globally.
Our challenge is to know how to adapt our models to uphold our values.
We can and we must meet this challenge together.
It’s often in the face of such challenges that the European Union shows what it does best:
guarantee stability,
demonstrate its credentials for responsible action,
promote solidarity within and outside of its borders.
And it’s also in the face of such challenges
that international institutions such as yours can be an anchor,
and provide an essential global perspective."
105th Session of the International Labour Conference International Labour Organization (ILO) 2016