In the framework of the XV Ibero-American Business Meeting in Cuenca, Ecuador, Roberto Suárez, Secretary General of the International Organization of Employers (IOE), expressed that, in his opinion, there are democratic institutions in Ibero-America, although fragile, which he considers a comparative advantage over regions with more limited democracy.
According to Suárez, the labor market is undergoing profound changes, where concepts such as time and place of work, as well as employability, have evolved. He highlighted that currently, the most important factor for an individual is their ability to be employable, as the cycles of change in the skills required by companies have decreased from five to three years.
When addressing the topic of artificial intelligence, Suárez pointed out that this technology has revolutionized training processes and generated unprecedented uncertainty. He stated that the consequences of artificial intelligence in the labor market have not been fully evaluated, and indicated that the main concern is not job destruction, but rather the transitions that this transformation demands, emphasizing the lack of preparation of society due to the absence of adequate infrastructure.
Regarding the role of the IOE, Suárez highlighted its contribution to promoting changes in labor policies and exercising influence to motivate authorities to improve their regulations and institutions. He also emphasized labor informality in Latin America, considering it unacceptable and urging the private sector to take a more ambitious role in the fight against corruption and the elimination of unnecessary regulations.
Suárez noted that startups in Latin America have experienced significant growth, although he highlighted the need for these companies to be sustainable. He also identified security as a specific problem in the Ibero-American region that affects talent retention.
In relation to authoritarian regimes and migration, Suárez mentioned that orderly and regular migration processes can result in sources of productivity and wealth, highlighting that many professions would not be filled without the migrant population. He underscored the importance of properly managing the integration of migrants to avoid social instability.
In conclusion, the IOE, which represents fifty million companies in 144 countries, is an organization with more than a century of history that seeks to promote dialogue between employers, authorities, and other key stakeholders in the labor field globally.
