The waste management and recycling industry faces numerous challenges, including high rates of informality, low wages, and long working hours.

Radio broadcasting is an industry with a rich history and valuable contribution to human connection, to the sharing of knowledge, information, and culture. It is an industry that has persisted despite many changes and challenges, particularly related to consumer demand and technological transformation, demonstrating an impressive ability to adapt and remain relevant. On this World Radio Day, we take a deep dive into data derived from the ILO Harmonized Microdata Collection, to gain a better understanding of how trends are reshaping the employment landscape in this remarkable industry.

High-income countries often take the wastewater management process for granted. Yet only 58 per cent of the world’s domestic wastewater is safely treated, with significant variation across regions. For World Toilet Day, we delve into the data to gain a better understanding of employment in the water collection, treatment and supply and sewerage industries in different country contexts.

Technology has severely affected demand for postal services. At the same time employment in the industry is still rising in most countries, driven by rapid growth in courier activities. This apparent contradiction in fact supports the idea that while technological progress can destroy jobs and displace workers, it can also create more jobs, creating a positive overall effect. Looking to the future, reskilling, upskilling and support to help postal services accelerate their digitalization and diversification processes will be key to building the resilience and adaptability of workers and enterprises in the sector.