ILO declaration: Promote freedom of association of workers

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Why in News?
• International Labour Organization (ILO) – About, objectives, other information, Important conventions, India & ILO
• News Summary

 

Why in News?

• The 17^th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) of the International Labour Organization (ILO) was organized in Singapore.
• The APRM discussed issues affecting employment and the world of work in Asia, the Pacific and Arab States.
• The meeting concluded with participants agreeing to bolster efforts to achieve social justice and decent work for all.

 

What is International Labour Organization (ILO)?

• The ILO, headquartered at Geneva, Switzerland, is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN).
  • It was established in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles.
• It is responsible for setting labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.
• It is the only tripartite U.N. agency which brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 member States.

 

What are the strategic objectives of ILO?

• The ILO has four strategic objectives
  • Promote and realize standards and fundamental principles and rights at work
  • Create greater opportunities for women and men to decent employment and income
  • Enhance the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all, and
  • Strengthen tripartism and social dialogue

 

Other information about ILO

• It is also a member of the United Nations Development Group (UNDP), a coalition of UN organization aimed at helping meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Members - The ILO has 187 member states (186 Countries + The Cook Islands)

 

Key Reports Published by ILO

• World Employment and Social Outlook;
• Global Wage Report

 

The Eight fundamental Conventions of ILO

• The Forced Labour Convention, 1930,
• The Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957,
• The Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, 1948,
• The Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949,
• The Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951,
• The Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958,
• The Minimum Age Convention, 1973, and
• The Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999

 

India and International Labour Organization (ILO)

• In June 2021, India completed its term as chair of the Governing Body of the ILO.
  • Governing Body is the apex executive body of the ILO which decides policies, programmes, budget and elects the Director-General.
  • India had assumed the chairmanship after a gap of 35 years. It held the position for the period October 2020- June 2021.
• India has not ratified the two conventions (out of 8). These are:
  • Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, 1948 and
  • Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98).
• Reasons for India not ratifying these two conventions:
  • The statutory rules in India, for the government employees, prohibits certain rights such as right to strike, to openly criticize government policies etc.
  • After ratification, India would be forced to grant these rights to the civil servants. Hence, India has not ratified these two conventions.

 

News Summary

• The 17th APRM of ILO concluded with Singapore Declaration”, which was adopted in Singapore by the participating delegates.

Key highlights of the Singapore Declaration

• It sets ten-point priorities of national action for the member countries to deal with the issue of dwindling wages of workers, inflation and unemployment.
• The declaration said social dialogue is key to building trust, and resilient labour market institutions are essential to sustained recovery, inclusive and sustainable growth, and need to be strengthened in the regions.
• The Statement urges members to ensure labour protection for all through the promotion of freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining.
• It calls for action to:
  • To close gender gaps;
  • To consider the ratification and effective implementation of related international labour standards;
  • Accelerate the transition from the informal to formal economy; and
  • Strengthen governance frameworks to protect the rights of migrant workers.
• It also calls for a just transition that helps build environmentally sustainable economies and societies in the face of climate change.
• Revitalizing productivity growth and skills development is also stressed in order to provide more and better jobs with particular focus on digital transformation, digital divides and lifelong learning.
• The Statement highlights the need to reinforce the foundations for social and employment protection and resilience.
  • This includes:
    • expanding social protection to all workers,
    • strengthening labour inspections systems,
    • enhancing occupational safety and health (OSH),
    • addressing the rising costs of living with policies for adequate, fair, non-discriminatory wages,
    • eliminating all forms of forced and child labour.
• The Declaration furthermore confirms the commitment of governments and social partners across the regions to engage in consultations towards the development of a Global Social Justice Coalition.

 

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Q1) Who is the founder of ILO?

The Constitution of the ILO was drafted in early 1919 by the Labour Commission, chaired by Samuel Gompers, head of the American Federation of Labour (AFL) in the United States.

 

Q2) What are the 3 main organs of ILO?

The three organs of the ILO include the General Assembly of the ILO, the Executive Council of ILO, and a permanent secretariat.

 

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