On 9 May 2023, the Minister of Manpower ("MoM") issued Decree No. 88 of 2023 on Guidelines for the Prevention of and Response to Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, updating the previous guidelines in force since 2011 (MOM Decree No. SE.03/MEN/IV/2011).
The Guidelines identify actions employers should take to prevent and address sexual harassment in the workplace effectively.
It follows the first consultation phase launched on 11 April 2023, which ended with identifying six main areas for reform, subject to further consultation among the social partners.
The main areas of focus for further consultation concern the modification of the notion of 'transnational issue' and 'consultation,' limiting the possibility for management to classify information as 'confidential'; shortening the timeframe for setting up EWCs, improving the ability of EWCs and their members to enforce their legal rights, and ensuring that all EWCs are fully subject to the EU legal framework.
The second consultation phase will end on 4 October 2023.
A new reportpublished by the ILO in August 2023 presents a global analysis of tasks and occupations implications to generative Artificial Intelligence.
According to the study, technology is likely to automate some tasks within an occupation while leaving time for other duties, as opposed to fully automating occupations.
This study disregards the widespread concern that such technology could lead to job displacement. Lost jobs and industries are only partially exposed to automation and will be augmented and not replaced by generative AI.
On 7 August 2023, the Supreme Court clarified that liability arising from the violation of fundamental rights by the direct employer (the contractor) cannot be extended to the main company in a subcontracting regime since this is an area in which the main company cannot intervene by express legal provision and in which it also has no power of control.
The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work announced a new Healthy Workplaces Campaign for 2023-2025, which will be launched in October 2023, aiming to raise awareness of occupational safety and health in the digital age throughout Europe.
The campaign seeks to create a greater understanding of the digital-related occupational safety and health challenges and opportunities at work, promoting a culture of risk prevention.
On 12 July 2023, ILO and Rwanda announced a new development cooperation project to boost decent jobs for youth in the digital economy.
The main goal is to enable more young women and men in Rwanda to access decent job in its digital economy.
The project has a duration of 4 years with a Eur 4 million budget allocation.
It is financially supported by the Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs of the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.
On 11 July 2023, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) released the Employment Outlook 2023, which shows the latest labour market developments in OECD countries.
It focuses on wage developments and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the labour market (an OECD first-ever study in this area).
Assuming an imminent technological revolution that could radically change the workplace, the report states that there are no signs of slowing labour demand, in the short-term, but possible changes in job quality and tasks.