“The transition to the new world of work cannot be successful if it is not accompanied by effective protection against risks, dialogue with the social partners and close consultation with the local community”, emphasized President of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulouduring her brief address at the “The Future of Work in a Changing World” conference, co-organized by Florina Employment Center and the General Confederation of Greek Workersin Florina.

Ms. Sakellaropoulou said that the “just transition” of the workforce, as defined in the International Labor Organization’s guidelines agreed between governments and employers’ and trade unions’ organizations, which set out a framework for global understanding and cooperation, “must be at the core every effort” while the promotion of decent work for all “can contribute to the achievement of a cohesive society and inclusive labor market, with social justice as a compass”.

He pointed out that “societies and the world of work are between successive crises, recovery efforts and historic transformations” and according to data from the International Labor Organization, “the effects of the pandemic continue to hit the labor market, as the share of workers’ income from their employment remains stagnant, following a long-term downward trend worldwide.’

He emphasized that “technological developments and innovations related to automation may have increased productivity”, but found that “the benefits of this progress are not distributed fairly, resulting in widening inequalities”. At the same time, he pointed out that the digital divide between workers and societies, as well as the algorithmic influence on their autonomy, raise serious concerns, which highlight the imperative need for a more human-centered digital future.

Mrs. Sakellaropoulou also referred to climate change, which with its natural and transition risks is a challenge and at the same time an existential threat to the world of work. He noted that the transition to an environmentally sustainable economy “can offer significant opportunities, such as the creation of new fields of know-how and innovation, markets and new jobs, broadening the prospects for promoting local development”. He found, however, that according to the researches of the GSEE Labor Institute, when the cost of transitioning to new forms of production is unevenly distributed between categories of workers and geographical areas, it “causes a decrease in economic output and an increase in unemployment”.

Finally, the President of the Republic underlined that “the next day requires effort and vigilance” and that it will be “created through the achievements of the world of work and the conquests of the workers”. He noted that the crises of recent years tested the endurance and resilience of our society, while the struggles and sacrifices of the workers contributed decisively to restore normality. He underlined that Greece has the potential “to play a strong role in a changing world by investing in the talent, innovation, and extroversion of its human resources and ended by saying that “what we have achieved so far is a valuable legacy for the future, a source of national self-confidence, upliftment and progress for tomorrow”.