Television Nigerian

According to the International Labour Organization, worldwide job growth will only be 1% in 2023—less than half of what it was in 2022.

In 2023, the ILO projects that there will be 208 million unemployed people worldwide.

In a press statement, Mia Seppo, the assistant director-general of the ILO’s jobs and social protection cluster, stated: “The cost of living crisis is driving more people into poverty, including working poor. The two billion people working in the informal economy, where they frequently lack legal rights or social protection, and the 200 million people living in abject poverty are among the most vulnerable employees.

She claimed that it was unlikely that employment would return to pre-pandemic levels in low-income nations this year.

“Our analysis suggests this is primarily due to a shift into the informal economy, which presumably postpones rather than answers workers’ issues,” she continued. “In those places where unemployment is currently below pre-crisis levels.

Seppo, in the meantime, urged Nigeria and other nations to accelerate their efforts to realize Sustainable Development Goal 8 on Decent Work for All.

ILO claimed that SDG Goal 8, which combines social, economic, and environmental targets, has an effect on all other Agenda 2030 objectives.

She remarked, “These phenomena were once the stuff of science fiction, but today they are the technological, demographic, and climate change-related factors altering the way we work. Examples include generative artificial intelligence that enhances human creativity and overheating megacities.

We don’t yet know if these influences will alter our workplace for the better or for the worse. The fact that the reforms are taking place amid significant current issues has compounded this anxiety.

When UN member states adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, they pledged to work toward a future where there is greater equity, sustainability, prosperity, and peace. She challenged nations to make sure that these improvements bring about that vision.

The SDG Summit in September in New York will include this as one of the major topics.

“Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 is essential in this regard. SDG 8 aims for full and productive employment as well as inclusive and sustainable economic growth, or, in other words, “decent work for all,” she said.

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It is the only SDG, in Seppo’s opinion, that combines social, economic, and environmental goals.

It might be considered a “multiplier goal” of the broader sustainable development agenda in that regard because, if realized, it will have a favorable effect on other objectives.

It is unrealistic to expect emerging nations to act independently in a globalized economy. If we want to actually change things, we need global cooperation. She cited the creation of universal social safety systems as an example.

These, according to her, could lessen poverty, fragility, and inequities as well as aid in managing conflicts and social tensions.

According to Seppo, in order to reach this goal, humanitarian aid must be focused on bolstering social safety institutions and state capacity.

She emphasized, however, that a reorganized and rebalanced approach to globalization was important and that concerns about the effect of technology on job losses were legitimate.

She asserted that advancements in technology may lead to new employment prospects in developing nations.

“Furthermore, we must make sure that everyone involved in these supply chains reaps the rewards.

“We need to have clear, open policies and behaviors that are perceived as fair in order to bring all the elements of this strategy together. Because of this, the ILO is urging the creation of a Global Coalition for Social Justice, she pointed out.

To avoid waste and get the best results, experts have emphasized the necessity for businesses to utilize technology in their sustainability and procurement operations.

They announced their decision during the recent Africa Procurement and Supply Chain Awards in Lagos.

Companies need to be aware of the products they buy, according to Hannah Out, Group Head of Supply Chain at the Jospong Group of Companies.

She mentioned that one tactic the company had used over the years to make sure it was making the appropriate purchases was to include technology into its procurement process.

She remarked, “The group constantly insists on analyzing what the potential customers or bidders do to protect the environment in its procurement bidding process.”

Jacob Otuche, a spokesman of the Ghanaian Volta River Authority, said that digitization had enabled the business create a strong annual procurement calendar and digitally contact its consumers.

“We have a program that allows us to make plans for the entire year. Additionally, we have incorporated technology into our procedures, which allows us to interact customers digitally. We have been able to establish transparency and stop leaks because to this.

“Increasing procurement costs always has a negative financial impact on the organization. With the use of predictive procurement, our e-transaction card improves inventory management and allows for digital consumer engagement.

“We must be aware that the internet exists and poses a threat. As much as we want to improve our digital procurement process and cut waste, we also need to be cognizant of the risks the internet presents, he said.

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Speaking in addition, Mr. Adeola Oduntan, General Manager of Supply Chain Management Finance, MTN Nigeria, said that as a telecom firm, MTN Nigeria had continued to take advantage of digital prospects by utilizing technology in each of the supply chain’s categories.

The event honored outstanding procurement experts, teams, and organizations in Africa for their exceptional leadership, ethical practices, and strategic supply chain management. It also displayed brilliance in effectively managing supplies for their respective organizations, according to Group Chief Executive Officer of InstinctWave and summit organizer Mr. Akin Naphtal.

He asserts that procurement specialists have been essential in promoting sustainable corporate growth in Africa.