Ireland’s voice on the future of work took centre stage this week as gov.ie published details of Minister of State Alan Dillon’s appearance at the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva. The International Labour Conference visit highlighted Ireland’s focus on fair work, social dialogue and the fast-growing impact of artificial intelligence on jobs, rights and competitiveness.
Representing the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Minister Dillon led Ireland’s tripartite delegation, bringing together government, employer and worker representatives. The gathering is the main decision-making forum of the International Labour Organization, where member states discuss labour standards, workplace protections and the changing shape of global employment.
International Labour Conference puts Ireland’s labour priorities in focus
At the International Labour Conference, Minister Dillon responded to the ILO Director-General’s report, A moment of choice: Harnessing artificial intelligence for decent work. His remarks underlined a core Irish position: long-term progress happens when governments, businesses and workers move forward together.
That message aligns closely with the wider approach seen across Irish public policy, from gov.ie updates to the work of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), the Department of the Taoiseach and departments covering Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Education and Further and Higher Education. In practical terms, it means balancing innovation with worker protection.
- Supporting decent work standards
- Encouraging constructive employer-worker dialogue
- Managing AI adoption responsibly
- Protecting competitiveness while sharing economic benefits
AI and decent work were central themes
A major theme of the International Labour Conference was how artificial intelligence should be used in the workplace. Minister Dillon stressed that the issue is not simply whether new technology is adopted, but whether that transition improves work, strengthens productivity and spreads benefits fairly across society.
This debate matters in Ireland too, where agencies and institutions such as the Central Bank, CSO, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland all contribute to understanding how economic change affects business and employment. As AI tools reshape hiring, scheduling, performance monitoring and task automation, labour standards are becoming more important, not less.
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Platform economy talks add weight to International Labour Conference agenda
During the Geneva visit, Minister Dillon also met participants involved in negotiations on a possible new labour standard for decent work in the platform economy. That discussion is increasingly relevant as app-based and digitally managed work expands across transport, delivery, freelancing and services.
The International Labour Conference is one of the few global forums where these issues can be addressed through formal standard-setting. For Ireland, that matters across several sectors linked to Transport, Finance, Social Protection and workplace regulation. It also connects with the broader role of the Revenue Commissioners, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Health Service Executive (HSE) where employment status, protections and compliance often intersect with public policy.
Ireland marks ILO standards milestone
Ireland also co-hosted an event on 8 June marking the centenary of the Committee on the Application of Standards. The event reflected Ireland’s longstanding engagement with the ILO and its support for strong institutions that uphold international labour standards.
According to the official update on gov.ie, the event highlighted Ireland’s historic connection to the ILO supervisory system and its continued relevance in maintaining confidence in fair and balanced labour governance.
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What Minister Dillon’s Geneva visit means for Ireland
The International Labour Conference underlined Ireland’s effort to remain active in global labour policy at a time of major economic and technological change. Minister Dillon concluded the visit by meeting Ireland’s full delegation, including senior officials and representatives from Ibec and ICTU, and praised their contribution to the conference.
For readers tracking policy through gov.ie, the main takeaway is clear: Ireland wants AI, platform work and labour reform to be shaped through partnership rather than conflict. As workplace rules evolve, the International Labour Conference will remain an important arena for defining what fair work looks like in the years ahead.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
