ILO International Labour Organization International Labour Organization The

ILO International Labour Organization _______________

International Labour Organization • The International Labour Organization was created in 1919 in order to press for social reform in employment practices. • In 1944 the ILO Conference re-stated and expanded its goals by adopting the Declaration of Philadelphia. • In 1969, on its 50 th anniversary the ILO was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. • In 1998 the ILO adopted the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Followup.

How the ILO Works • The ILO has a tripartite structure in which the “social partners” – governments, employers and unions – shape the policies and programmes of the organization. • The ILO promotes a “social dialogue” between the partners on social and economic issues. • 172 countries are members of the ILO (191 countries in United Nations)

How the ILO Works • The ILO’s International Labour Conference meets annually to set minimum international labour standards and the Organization’s policies. • Each member country can send 4 delegates to the Conference: 2 government and 1 each representing employers and workers.

How the ILO Works • Between annual sessions of the Conference the ILO is guided by the Governing Body. • The Governing Body has: § 28 government members § 14 employer representatives § 14 worker representatives

How the ILO Works • The International Labour Office in Geneva includes the Organization’s operational headquarters, research centre and publishing house. • ILO branch offices are in more than 40 countries • The Office is headed by a Director-General, Mr. Juan Somavia

What the ILO Does The ILO has four principal strategic objectives: • Standards and fundamental principles and rights at work • Decent employment • Social protection for all • Strengthen tripartism and social dialogue

The Declaration of Philadelphia In 1944 the ILO adopted the Declaration of Philadelphia which included the following principles: • Labour is not a commodity • Freedom of expression and association are essential for sustained progress • Poverty threatens prosperity everywhere and. . .

The Declaration of Philadelphia All human beings, irrespective of race, creed, or sex have the right to pursue both their material well-being and their spiritual development in conditions of freedom and dignity, of economic security, and of equal opportunity.

ILO Conventions and Recommendations • The ILO Conference adopts Conventions and Recommendations which set international standards. • By ratifying these Conventions member states create binding obligations to implement their provisions. • Recommendations provide guidance on policy, legislation and practice.

Fundamental (Core) ILO conventions • # 29 Forced Labour (1930) • # 87 Freedom of Association and the Protection of the Right to Organize (1948) • # 98 Right to organize and collective bargaining (1949) • #100 Equal Remuneration (1951)

Fundamental (Core) ILO conventions • # 105 Abolition of Forced Labour (1957) • # 111 Anti-discrimination - Employment and Occupation (1958) • # 138 Minimum Age Convention (1973) • # 182 Worst Forms of Child Labour (1999)

The Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Followup In 1998 the ILO adopted the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Followup to take up the challenges of globalization.

The Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Followup The aim of the Declaration is to ensure that social progress goes hand in hand with economic progress.

The Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV) The mandate of the Bureau is to: • strengthen representative, independent and democratic trade unions in all countries, • to enable union to play their role effectively in protecting workers' rights and interests and in providing effective services to their members at national and international levels, • and to promote the ratification and implementation of ILO Conventions.

ACTRAV - Turin The Programme for Workers’ Activities: • responds to the training needs of workers’ organizations • delivers advanced training courses • produces workers’ educational material • conducts courses in Turin and in regions • provides consultancy services

ACTRAV Web Sites Geneva: http: //www. ilo. org/public/english/dialogue/actrav/index. htm Turin: http: //www. itcilo. it/actrav