Markus Pilgrim

Markus Pilgrim is a seasoned professional who served as the Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Office for Central and Eastern Europe from August 2017 to August 2023.2 In this role, he oversaw the ILO's operations and initiatives in the region for six years and one month.

Throughout his career, Pilgrim has focused on various aspects of labor and employment, including:

Areas of Expertise

• Private sector development
• Vocational training
• Employment policies4

His work has aimed to positively impact people's lives in these areas.

Recent Responsibilities

As the Director of the ILO Office for Central and Eastern Europe, Pilgrim has been involved in addressing significant challenges in the region, including:

• The COVID-19 pandemic's impact on labor markets5
• The crisis in Ukraine following the Russian Federation's aggression1

Ukraine Crisis Response

During the Ukraine crisis, Pilgrim played a key role in the ILO's response, which included:

• Providing humanitarian aid
• Supporting the integration of refugees and internally displaced people into the labor market
• Offering income support
• Implementing economic stabilization measures
• Supporting priority reforms of the Ukrainian Government
• Assisting trade unions and employers' organizations1

Prior to his role in Central and Eastern Europe, Pilgrim was appointed as the Director of the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team in August 2017.3 His extensive experience and leadership in addressing labor market challenges have made him a notable figure in the field of international labor relations and development.