UN labour agency: Ukraine war, other crises take toll on jobs

The U.N. labour agency warned Monday that job vacancies and employment growth are expected to decline worldwide in the fourth quarter as the war in Ukraine and “multiple and overlapping crises” have led to shrinking wages, higher debt and yawning inequality.

Gilbert Houngbo, the new director-general of the International Labor Organization, called on governments to intervene to help set prices for goods, redirect “windfall profits” and boost income support and social protections.

“Tackling this deeply worrying global employment situation, and preventing a significant labour market downturn, will require comprehensive, integrated and balanced policies both nationally and globally,” he said in a statement.

Houngbo said a quick end to the war in Ukraine “would further contribute to improving the global employment situation.” ILO noted a rebound in global hours worked at the beginning of the year, particularly among women and workers in high-skill jobs, as the world economy recovered from punishment during the coronavirus pandemic.