Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – On 25-26 September 2024, a two-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on youth rights at work was held as part of the ILO’s “SDG-Aligned Budgeting to Transform Employment in Mongolia” project, funded by the European Union. The training brought together 40 members of the Decent Work for Youth Network (DW4YN) including representatives from government agencies, workers and employers’ organizations, NGOs, young professionals, and advocates.

Job disruptions as well as uncertainties about their future have affected youth not only negatively concerning income, aspirations, and mental health, but they also left them vulnerable to precarious working conditions. Many young people are not aware of their rights at work. When young people enter into employment, they often face low-quality jobs and informal employment, face challenges at the workplace, often unpaid and exploited by their employers. 

A team of experts from the Clinical Education Center of the School of Law, National University of Mongolia (NUM) translated and adapted the ILO’s updated Work Wise Youth guide to fit the Mongolian context, incorporating new labour law provisions, legislative acts, and practices. The Clinical Education Center and Decent Work for Youth Network organized the training using a newly translated Work Wise Youth guide tool that covers everything from young people’s rights at work, including wages, occupational safety and health, prevention of violence and harassment in the world of work, and access to social security. 

Participants engaged in interactive sessions and collaborative activities designed to empower them with the knowledge and tools needed to advocate youth rights at work. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to advancing fundamental principles and rights at work.

"This workshop has been incredibly enlightening and motivating for young professionals like me. I feel more equipped to make a difference in my workplace and beyond." said Mr. Khurelbaatar Tumendemberel, Specialist from Bayanzurkh District Labour and Social welfare services. 

Mongolian Decent Work for Youth Network (DW4YN) was established in 2018 with the support of the International Labour Organization (ILO). Currently, DW4YN has 19 members representing governmental and non-governmental organizations working in the field of youth development, employment, and labour rights in Mongolia. The network aims to build decent work relations and conditions in Mongolia at every workplace, promote youth employment, organize national campaigns to influence policy and improve cooperation between the partners. 

DW4YN and participants of the workshop will conduct a series of training for rural youth in four provinces in 2024. As a result of the training, youth and young workers will learn about decent work conditions, including appropriate hours of work, wages, leave days and occupational safety and health.