G20 Labour Ministers Set Bold 2030 Targets for Youth Jobs and Gender Equality

At the recently concluded G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting (LEMM) held in George, South Africa, global labour leaders adopted a landmark declaration reaffirming their collective commitment to social justice, gender equality, and inclusive employment strategies. Convened under the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,” the summit marked a significant moment for international labour policy, with a new focus on reducing youth unemployment and bridging gender gaps in labour markets.

A Renewed Focus on Youth Employment: Nelson Mandela Bay Youth Target

One of the most notable outcomes of the two-day meeting was the endorsement of the Nelson Mandela Bay Youth Target, a pledge by G20 nations to reduce the percentage of young people aged 15 to 29 who are Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET) by a further 5% by 2030. This target builds upon the progress made toward the earlier G20 Antalya Goal established in 2014, aiming to offer young people better opportunities for dignified and productive participation in the workforce.

To realise this goal, ministers committed to:

• Expanding access to technical and vocational education and training (TVET)

• Promoting youth entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems

• Implementing inclusive employment policies for vulnerable youth, including young women and persons with disabilities

• Developing tailored labour market programs for early career transitions

This intensified focus aims to counteract the scarring effects of early joblessness, which often lead to long-term employment instability, poverty, and disengagement.

Ambitious Gender Equality Commitments: The Brisbane–eThekwini Goal

The meeting also saw the formal adoption of a new Brisbane–eThekwini Goal, which elevates existing gender equality ambitions. Ministers pledged to:

• Reduce the gender labour force participation gap by 25% by 2030

• Cut the gender pay gap by 15% by 2035

To achieve these ambitious benchmarks, G20 nations agreed on a comprehensive set of actions, including:

• Advancing equal pay for work of equal value

• Investing in quality, accessible care services to support working families

• Tackling structural barriers such as gender bias, limited access to leadership roles, and unequal caregiving responsibilities

These commitments underscore a broader acknowledgment that inclusive labour markets not only promote fairness but are essential for long-term economic resilience and growth.

Houngbo: Labour Reforms Key to Social Justice and Economic Growth

In his keynote address, International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo welcomed the ministers’ pledges, describing them as “milestones in the pursuit of global social justice.” He highlighted that both youth unemployment and gender inequality are not just moral imperatives but also critical economic challenges.

“These gaps remind us there is incredible untapped potential across the G20 to grow economies, foster inclusion, and improve living standards,” Houngbo said. “Your commitments to action can chart new paths to social justice through decent work, inspiring further work in other countries whose economies face similar, or at times greater, challenges.”

Advancing Decent Work and Digital Inclusion

The G20 Ministerial Declaration also emphasized the significance of:

• Freedom of association and collective bargaining to ensure fair wages and workplace dignity

• Tripartite social dialogue, involving governments, employers, and workers in policymaking

• Closing digital divides, especially in the context of social protection delivery

• Promoting decent work in the platform and gig economy, amid ongoing ILO standard-setting discussions

Ministers affirmed the role of digital transformation in improving the reach and efficiency of employment services and social safety nets but also warned of the risks of deepening inequality if digital access remains uneven.

Data-Driven Monitoring and Accountability

During the summit, the ILO and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) presented the “Women at Work” and “Youth at Work” reports, offering evidence-based insights to guide national labour strategies. The ministers called on both organisations to continue their tracking and evaluation efforts, ensuring that progress on the Nelson Mandela Bay and Brisbane–eThekwini goals remains transparent and measurable.

A Call to Action: Moving from Promise to Practice

Concluding the conference, Houngbo urged ministers to embrace a bold and proactive stance: “To act with solidarity, to foster equality, and to pursue sustainability, is to move social justice from commitment to action, from a mandate to a lived reality for all.”

The G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting, held from 30–31 July, reaffirmed the group’s role as a global policy platform where the world’s largest economies align around shared values—justice, opportunity, and dignity in the world of work.