G20 TASK FORCE ON EMPLOYMENT
Terms of Reference
Background
The G20 Task Force on Employment (ETF) was established on an experimental basis for one year in
2011 as a forum to exchange mutual experiences, best practices and policy responses to the
employment related challenges faced by G20 countries. It was composed of the G20 government
representatives, experts and worked in close collaboration with social partners and relevant
international organizations, in particular the ILO and the OECD. The ETF is chaired by a shared
presidency: the incumbent G20 presidency and the following G20 presidency.
In 2012 the ETF has played a significant role in promoting job creation and economic growth. It has
organized frank and productive discussions on important issues such as the creation of quality
jobs, youth employment and apprenticeships. In Los Cabos G20 Leaders supported the extension
of the Task Force on Employment mandate for one more year with its focus to be decided under
the Russian Presidency.
In 2013 the ETF will continue to focus on implementation of G20 Leaders’ commitment to
“promote growth and jobs” in particular through the lens of economic reform to address in more
depth the issues of job creation and employment. The ‘social aspects’ of this discussion will
become part of broader topics including job creation, labour market policies and monitoring. The
work of the ETF will be coordinated with the work of the Framework and Development Working
Groups. The ETF will consult broadly in order to provide a wide range of perspectives and practical
inputs to G20 Sherpas and consequently to the meeting of G20 Labour and Employment Ministers
and their joint meeting with G20 Finance Ministers aimed at providing sound results to G20
Leaders by the Saint Petersburg Summit.
This Terms of Reference outline the assignment for the Task Force on Employment for 2013 in line
with the priorities of the Russian Presidency.
Mandate
The Task Force on Employment mandate is to:
1.
Consult broadly in order to provide a wide range of perspectives and practical inputs to
Sherpas as well as to the meeting of Labour and Employment Ministers and their joint
meeting with Finance Ministers (including preparatory meetings, events and documents
throughout the year) aimed at providing sound results to G20 Leaders by the Saint
Petersburg Summit.
2.
Promote cooperation and information exchange among the G20 member countries about
their specific policies for job creation, labor activation and monitoring
3.
Serve as a focal point for information exchange and discussion to enhance the understanding
among the G20 member countries on both economic and social aspects of employment
policies, which will link its work with discussion of economic reforms held by the Framework
Working Group and human and skills development discussion held by the Development
Working Group.
4.
Work in cooperation with social partners such as L20 and B20 as appropriate and according
to a procedure to be decided by the members of the ETF.
5.
Work in cooperation with international organizations such as ILO, OECD, World Bank.
Members and Reporting
Participation in the G20 Task Force on Employment is open to government representatives and
experts. The ETF will invite representatives of relevant international organizations, in particular
the ILO, the OECD and the World Bank, as well as social partners, including L20 and B20. The status
of social partners and other invitees will be defined by the ETF members.
The Task Force on Employment will be chaired by a shared presidency: the incumbent G20
presidency (Russian Federation) and the following G20 presidency (Australia).
The Task Force on Employment will report to G20 Sherpas.
Objectives
In Los Cabos G20 Leaders confirmed their commitment to urgently combat unemployment,
promote growth and generate jobs through appropriate labour market measures and fostering the
creation of decent work and quality jobs.
Several issues were specifically highlighted in the Los Cabos Summit documents:
i.
the need for quality employment based on structural reform commitments, (detailed in the
Los Cabos Growth and Jobs Action Plan),
ii.
the need to create jobs especially for youth and those most affected by the global
economic crisis,
iii.
the importance of establishing nationally determined social protection floors,
iv.
the need to overcome the barriers hindering women's full economic and social
participation,
v.
the need to review progress made on employment agenda.
In 2013, the objective of the Task Force on Employment is to serve as a discussion and cooperation
forum and feed the discussions of Sherpas, Labour and Employment Ministers, Ministers of
Finance and G20 Leaders with policy recommendations on three priority areas: job creation,
labour activation and the monitoring of labour market developments and progress made by
countries in implementing the employment agenda set by G20 Leaders.
Planned Outcomes

Declaration of the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers

Input to a Joint Statement of the G20 Finance and Labour and Employment Ministers

A database of policies (best practices) designed and implemented to reflect strategies to
meet the challenges of job creation and labour activation (Task Force supported by relevant
IOs), including the report on G20 labour activation good practices (by OECD and ILO)

Set of recommendations on policy responses to meet the challenges of stimulating job
creation and labour activation in both emerging and advanced economies (Task Force
supported by the relevant IOs)

Progress report on implementation of the G20 commitments related to youth employment
(by ILO and OECD)
Preparation of the deliverables for the G20 St Petersburg Summit could require more assessment
and/or papers on specific topics of interest (for example, a report on long-term unemployment,
including that of vulnerable groups, an examination of successful strategies and policies for
stimulating job creation and employment strategies for poverty reduction) – to be decided by the
Task Force.
Work Program and Timeline
21-22 February, Moscow – 1st meeting of the G20 Task Force on Employment
Discussion and approval of the Task Force’s work plan/ToR
3-4 March – Progress Report to Sherpas
Early May – Progress Report to Sherpas
3-4 June, Saint Petersburg – 2nd meeting of the G20 Task Force on Employment
Discussion of draft declaration of the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers meeting and
deliverables for their joint meeting with G20 Finance Ministers
July 18-19, Moscow – Meeting of G20 Labour and Employment Ministers
-
July 18 morning session– meeting of G20 Labour Ministers with Social Partners (business
and labour unions),
-
July 18 afternoon session (and July 19 morning session if needed) – G20 Labour Ministers
Meeting, Discussion and adoption of declaration, developing set of issues to be discussed
with the Finance Ministers.
-
July 19 morning/afternoon session – Joint meeting of G20 Labour and Employment
Ministers with G20 Finance Ministers,
Discussion on how to combine fiscal sustainability with job creation and labour activation as
well as on the ways to enhance job creation through better reflection of labour and
employment policies in financial and budgetary decisions. Results of discussion to be
reflected in Joint Statement of G20 Finance and labour and employment Ministers.
October 2013, Geneva – G20 Task Force on Employment meeting, hosted by the ILO
Duration of the Existence of Task Force on Employment
The current Terms of Reference for the Employment Task Force are valid through 2013. In
September 2013 G20 Leaders, upon recommendation of Sherpas and the Labour and Employment
Ministers, will review and decide upon further extension of the Task Force activities.