THE ILO AND ITS COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL DIALOGUE

Transcription

1 International Labour Organization THE ILO AND ITS COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL DIALOGUE By Marios Meletiou Technical Specialist (Ports and Transport) Social Dialogue, Labour Law, Labour Administration and Sectoral Activities Department, ILO World Bank Learning Week Washington DC, 4 April, 2006

2 STRUCTURE OF PRESENTATION I Background Information on ILO II Current Agenda DECENT WORK FOR ALL III The Fundamental ILO Conventions IV ILO s s sectoral approach DECENT WORK FOR ALL V ILO s Commitment Social Dialogue

3 I Background Information on ILO Founded in 1919 First UN Specialized Agency 178 Member States Seeks the promotion of social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights In 1969 the ILO was awarded The Nobel Prize For Peace!

4 I Background Information on ILO Cont. Within the UN system, the ILO has a unique tripartite structure with workers and employers participating as equal partners with governments in the work of its governing organs.

5 I Background Information on ILO Structure of the ILO International Labour Conference (Labour standards) Governing Body (Executive Council) Cont. Director General Mr. J. Somavia International Labour Office (Permanent Secretariat in Geneva with 1900 employees)

6 International Labour Organization ILO Headquarters in Geneva

7 International Labour Organization The old ILO offices in Geneva ( ) Presently the offices of the WTO

8 International Labour Organization The three keys used for the inauguration of the ILO offices in 1926, which symbolize the tripartite character of the ILO

9 II Current Agenda DECENT WORK FOR ALL The ILO formulates and promotes international labor standards in the form of Conventions and Recommendations setting minimum standards of basic labor rights. It also develops and promotes the implementation of codes of practice, guidelines, manuals and training materials and provides relevant technical assistance.

10 II Current Agenda DECENT WORK FOR ALL Cont. ILO products Conventions (Mandatory) Recommendations Codes of Practice & Guidelines Manuals Training Materials

11 DECENT WORK FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL LABOUR STANDARDS In essence, International Labour Standards are expressions of international tripartite agreements on a matter. Conventions International treaties, subject to ratification by ILO member States Create binding obligations under International Law Might require Member States to amend their national legislation Recommendations II Current Agenda Set out guidelines which can orient national policy and action. Often complement Conventions. Cont.

12 III The Fundamental ILO Conventions PRINCIPLES CONCERNING THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AT WORK Freedom of association and effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining The elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour The effective abolition of child labour The elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

13 III The Fundamental ILO Conventions Cont. Freedom of association, collective bargaining and industrial relations Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No.87) Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No.98) Forced labour Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No.29) Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No.105)

14 III The Fundamental ILO Conventions Cont. Elimination of child labour and the protection of children and young persons Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No.138) Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No.182) Equality of opportunity and treatment Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No.100) Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No.111) The ILO has adopted 186 Conventions!

15 IV ILO s Sectoral Approach Social Dialogue, Labour Law, Labour Administration and Sectoral Activities Department Sectoral Activities Department 22 Economic sectors Agriculture, plantations, rural Basic metal production Chemical industries Commerce Construction Education Financial services; other professional services. Food, drink, tobacco Forestry, wood, pulp, paper Health services Hotels, tourism, catering Maritime (Shiping, ports, fisheries, inland waterways) Mechanical & electrical engineering Media, cultural, graphical Mining Oil & gas production; oil refining Postal & other communication services. Public service Textiles, clothing, leather, footwear Transport (air, road, rail) Transport equipment manufacture Utilities (water, gas, electricity)

16 V ILO s commitment to Social Dialogue The ILO s commitment to tripartism and social dialogue stems from its very structure: The Tripartite Structure. Tripartism and social dialogue are integral components of decent and productive work,for all women and men, and constitute essential channels for achieving this in conditions of freedom, equity, security, and human dignity.

17 V ILO s commitment to Social Dialogue Resolution adopted during 90th Session of the International Labour Conference in 2002 invited governments of member States "to ensure that the necessary preconditions exist for social dialogue, including respect for the fundamental principles and the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining, a sound industrial relations environment, and respect for the role of the social partners" in achieving employment goals and improving social protection.

18 V ILO s commitment to Social Dialogue Cont. Tripartite cooperation refers to all dealings between the government and workers and employers organization concerning the formulation and implementation of economic and social policy.

19 V ILO s commitment to Social Dialogue Cont. Social dialogue includes all types of negotiation, consultation, or simply exchange of information between, or among, representatives of governments, employers and workers, on issues of common interest relating to economic and social policy assists in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of road transport operations and the working conditions of road transport workers, thereby enhancing economic and social development.

20 V ILO s commitment to Social Dialogue ILO support for social dialogue The ILO supports social dialogue through a range of activities, principally: Cont. Standard-setting Technical assistance/policy advice ACTRAV, ACT/EMP and other ILO departments (e.g. Social Dialogue, Labour Law, Labour Administration and Sectoral Activities Department) International Training Centre, Turin

21 International Labour Organization THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION! Questions?