Global labour unions and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have renewed calls for stronger social protection systems to shield vulnerable workers from poverty, job losses, and economic shocks. This follows the adoption of the Compromiso de Sevilla, a landmark agreement reached at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development held in Seville, Spain, from June 30 to July 3, 2025.
The agreement, endorsed by member countries, urges governments to expand social protection coverage by at least two percentage points annually, a move the ILO says is crucial to reducing inequality and safeguarding workers’ rights.
ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo hailed the agreement as a turning point for global labour welfare but warned that its success depends on implementation.
“The Compromiso de Sevilla reaffirms the importance of multilateralism and sets a clear, pragmatic benchmark. But the real test lies in national ownership, institutional capacity, and international solidarity,” Houngbo said.
Labour unions worldwide echoed this sentiment, warning that promises without action would leave millions of workers vulnerable. “Workers need safety nets that are real, not rhetorical. The Seville agreement is a step in the right direction, but now governments must deliver,” labour representatives stated in a joint communiqué.
According to ILO data, 3.8 billion people globally lack basic social protection, leaving them at risk of falling into poverty due to illness, unemployment, or old age. Informal sector workers, who make up a significant percentage of the workforce in developing countries, are the most affected due to the absence of safety nets.
The Seville agreement prioritises universal social protection, urging countries to integrate social safety net financing into national budgets in line with ILO standards. It also commits to supporting developing countries in achieving the annual two per cent coverage expansion target.
To accelerate implementation, the ILO and the Global Partnership for Universal Social Protection launched the Sevilla Platform for Action, a new initiative designed to mobilise resources, encourage public investment, and support countries in extending protection to the most vulnerable workers.
The Seville outcome also recognised the critical role of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), cooperatives, and the social and solidarity economy in creating decent jobs. Labour groups pushed for targeted funding to strengthen these sectors, which provide livelihoods for millions.
In addition, the agreement calls for policies that encourage youth employment, strengthen the care economy, and facilitate the transition from informal to formal work—issues that have been at the heart of workers’ advocacy for years.
The ILO played a leading role in shaping the conference agenda, moderating high-level discussions on public resource mobilisation, tax justice, and fiscal transparency. The outcome will feed into further deliberations at the Second World Summit for Social Development scheduled for November 2025 in Doha, Qatar.
Though the Seville agreement is global, Nigerian labour unions have expressed optimism that the recommendations will strengthen ongoing campaigns for workers’ welfare in the country. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has consistently demanded better pension systems, health insurance coverage for informal workers, and stronger unemployment benefits to protect millions living below the poverty line.
Analysts believe that if Nigeria adopts the Seville recommendations, it could significantly reduce income inequality, particularly among informal workers, who make up over 80 per cent of the country’s labour force.