Hosted by the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus (FTUB), the conference brought together representatives from 28 countries.

Delivering an address entitled “The Future of Labour in the Age of Technological Transformation,” Öksüz emphasized that trade unions must not merely adapt to technological change but actively participate in shaping the transformation of the world of work.

He identified five fundamental challenges facing the labour movement: employment, workers' rights, just transition, distributive justice, and democratic participation. 

Highlighting the responsibilities of trade unions in this process, Öksüz raised a critical question:

“As trade unions, are we going to merely discuss the course and consequences of this transformation, or will we establish our own research and development units, strengthen our technological capacities, combine our efforts, and become leading actors in shaping this process?”

Öksüz outlined several strategic priorities for trade unions, including strengthening research and development capacities, ensuring a just digital transition, reinforcing collective bargaining mechanisms, and securing effective representation of workers in global decision-making processes.

Emphasizing that technological progress must be guided by social justice and the protection of workers' rights, he stated:

“We are not opposed to technological progress. However, we oppose any transformation that excludes workers, weakens their rights, undermines hard-won achievements, and distributes the benefits of progress unfairly. Trade unions must not only adapt to the future world of work; they must also have a say in shaping that future.” 

 
Digital Trade Union Practices of ILC Member Confederation Memur-Sen Presented 

As part of the conference, innovative digital applications developed for the benefit of the affiliated trade unions and members of Memur-Sen, an ILC member confederation, were presented as examples of good practices in digital trade unionism.

The presentation highlighted ILC’ member Confederation Memur-Sen's membership management system, digital identification application, and Memur-Sen Avantaj, a membership benefits platform offering exclusive advantages through hundreds of brands across approximately 100,000 locations in Türkiye.

These initiatives demonstrated the potential of digital technologies to enhance trade union services, strengthen institutional capacities, and improve member engagement.

Digital Trade Union Initiatives of ILC Member Confederation Memur-Sen Presented

During the conference, innovative digital applications developed for the benefit of the affiliated trade unions and members of Memur-Sen, an ILC member confederation, were presented as examples of good practices in digital trade unionism.

The presentation introduced Memur-Sen's membership management system and digital identification application, alongside Memur-Sen Avantaj, a digital membership benefits platform.

The Memur-Sen Avantaj application represents an innovative approach to digital trade unionism, transforming union membership into tangible economic and social benefits. Designed to support the purchasing power and everyday well-being of trade union members and retirees, the platform provides access to exclusive discounts, preferential prices, and special promotional campaigns across a wide range of sectors, including food and groceries, clothing, restaurants, fuel, healthcare, education, technology, household appliances, transportation, accommodation, and e-commerce.

Through an extensive network of partnerships with national brands and local businesses, the platform was presented as offering exclusive benefits at approximately 100,000 locations across Türkiye. Integrated with digital union identification and membership management systems, the application enables eligible members to access participating offers and benefit from convenient digital solutions, including QR-code transactions, discount codes, and various supported payment options.

Beyond its commercial benefits, Memur-Sen Avantaj demonstrates how trade unions can harness digital innovation and their collective strength to address members' everyday economic needs. By helping reduce household expenses, supporting purchasing power, and expanding the practical benefits of union membership, the initiative offers an example of how digital transformation can strengthen member engagement and enhance the social and economic value of trade union representation.

The presentation attracted considerable interest from international participants, highlighting how these digital initiatives contribute to the economic and social well-being of trade union members while enhancing member satisfaction, diversifying trade union services, and strengthening institutional capacities through digital innovation.