The International Labour Organization (ILO) has warned of widespread insecurity in the global labour market following its research that found only a quarter of workers had stable employment.

The ILO’s report, ‘World Employment and Social Outlook 2015, The Changing Nature of Jobs’, published today, found three-quarters of workers are employed on temporary or short-term contracts, in informal jobs often without any contract, under self-employment arrangements or in unpaid family jobs. 

This is particularly so in parts of Asia, Africa and South America.

In a statement, ILO director general Guy Ryder said the “non-standard” forms of employment were “associated with the rise in inequality and poverty rates in many countries.

“What’s more, these trends risk perpetuating the vicious circle of weak global demand and slow job creation that has characterised the global economy and many labour markets throughout the post-crisis period.”

The report is based on data from 90 countries, covering 84% of the world’s workforce.

It found 60% of all workers did not have any kind of employment contract, with most of them being self-employed or contributing family work in the developing world. However, among wage or salaried workers, only 42% are working on a permanent contract. 

Wage and salaried employment is on the rise, although it only contributes for half of global employment. 

Part-time employment was found to be on the rise too, especially among women. 

Ryder said: “In some cases, non-standard forms of work can help people get a foothold into the job market. But these emerging trends are also a reflection of the widespread insecurity that’s affecting many workers worldwide today.”

The report noted a growing recognition that labour regulation was needed to protect workers, and said while employment protection laws have been strengthening elsewhere in the world, such protection has decreased in Europe since 2008.

It also found employment growth globally has stalled at a rate of 1.4% annually since 2001.

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