Abstract
This report is prepared by the International Labour Office as the basis for discussions at the Technical meeting on decent work in the railways sector, which will be held in Geneva from 1 to 5 September 2025. It covers the railways sector – including both passenger railways and freight railways – for urban, suburban or long-distance services. Part 1 reviews trends and developments in the sector; it highlights relevant international issues and governance frameworks and includes sections on the industry’s composition, structure, and trends and employment. Part 2 includes information on the current and emerging issues that have an impact on the sector. Prioritizing sustainable frameworks will require identifying opportunities and tackling challenges in terms of financing, innovation, just transition and safety. Parts 1 and 2 provide the background and context for Part 3, which discusses labour aspects and practices in terms of realizing decent work to revitalize and make railways more sustainable. These include rights and enabling environments, human capital investments and safety investments.