Young worker harvesting coffee in Vietnam - Vision Zero Fund 2021

Living wages in focus: from principles to practice

Scheduled
Colombo
A factory worker is seen smiling during her shift in a footwear manufacturing plant in Cambodia. Photo : Marcel Crozet / ILO

The high-level regional event on living wages will open with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, opening remarks, followed by the launch of the Asia-Pacific Minimum Wage Digital Repository System. Sessions will explore the ILO’s 2024 Conclusions on 'wage policies, including living wages' as well introduce ILO's first Living Wage Programme, launched in 2024. 

Highlighting the importance of addressing persistent inequality and low wages, discussions will examine principles and methodologies for estimating living wages, and how these can inform wage-setting institutions and real improvements for workers and enterprises. The sessions will promote practical pathways to strengthen minimum wage systems, expand collective bargaining, and close the gap between prevailing and living wages—advancing social justice and inclusive, sustainable growth

Speakers

Photo of Kaori Nakamura Osaka
Kaori Nakamura Osaka
Director of the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, International Labour Organization (ILO)
Photo of Gilbert F. Houngbo
Gilbert F. Houngbo
Director-General, International Labour Organization (ILO)
Photo of Anil Jayantha Fernando
Anil Jayantha Fernando
Minister of Labour, Sri Lanka
Photo of Joni Simpson
Joni Simpson
Director, Country Office for Sri Lanka and Maldives, International Labour Organization (ILO)
Photo of Patrick Belser
Patrick Belser
Chief, Inclusive Labour Markets, Labour Relations and Working Conditions Branch, International Labour Organization (ILO)
Photo of Daniel Kostzer
Daniel Kostzer
Chief Economist, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
Photo of Luis Rodrigo Morales
Luis Rodrigo Morales
Director for Industrial Relations and ILO coordination, International Organisation of Employers (IOE)
Photo of Alok Mishra
Alok Mishra
Joint Secretary, India, Ministry of Labour and Employment
Photo of Nguyen Huyen Le
Nguyen Huyen Le
Head of the Wages Division, Philippines, Ministry of Home Affairs
Photo of Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio Jr.
Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio Jr.
Under Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment
Photo of Marcel Vernooij
Marcel Vernooij
Director, Public Sector Engagement, Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH)
Photo of Murray Hall
Murray Hall
Senior Research Scientist, Sustainability Program, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Agriculture and Food (CSIRO)
Photo of Ajoy Sharma
Ajoy Sharma
Government adviser, India

Moderator

Photo of Anoop Satpathy
Anoop Satpathy
Wage Specialist, International Labour Organization (ILO)