Social and Labour Implications of the Increased Use of Advanced Retail Technologies: Report for Discussion at the Tripartite Meeting on the Social and Labour Implications of the Increased Use of Advanced Retail Technologies of the Increased use of Advance

This report has been prepared by the International Labour Office as the basis for discussions at the Tripartite Meeting on Social and Labour Implications of the Increased Use of Advanced Retail Technologies. The Governing Body of the ILO decided at its 292nd Session (March 2005) that an international tripartite meeting for the commerce sector would be held in 2006. It was later decided that the Meeting would examine the role of new retail technologies in shaping the employment landscape in commerce. The focus would be on the introduction of radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies and their employment impact across the distribution chain in general and more specifically in retail. It subsequently decided (295th Session, March 2006) that the Meeting would be held from 18 to 20 September 2006 in Geneva, and be composed of ail interested governments, 15 Employer representatives and 15 Worker representatives, selected after consultations with the respective groups of the Governing Body. The purpose of the Meeting is to: consider this report and, on that basis, adopt conclusions on ways to reconcile the interests of ail stakeholders in the face of a changing employment landscape resulting from new technologies; to adopt a report of its discussions; and to propose a programme of follow-up activities to implement those recommendations. The Meeting may also adopt resolutions.This Meeting is part of the ILO's Sectoral Activities Programme, as defined by the ILO programme and budget, the aim of which is to assist governments, and employers' and workers' organizations to develop their capacities to de al equitably and effectively with the social and labour problems of particular economic sectors. The programme also offers a means of alerting the ILO to specific sectoral social and labour issues. In addition to sectoral action programmes (launched in 2004), technical cooperation, advisory and research activities, the programme of tripartite meetings also contributes to ILO strategic objectives. Such meetings bring together a cross-section of Government, Employer and Worker representatives from countries that are prominent or have a strong interest in a given sector. In line with the ILO's strategic objectives, these meetings also aim to strengthen tripartism and promote social dialogue at the international level.