International labour organisation 1

Objectives Discuss the origin and history of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Outline the mission and objectives of ILO in workplace relations Identify core ILO convention which Fiji has ratified. 1

Introduction International Labour Organization play a very important role in maintaining the best trade practices in the world so that no countries are exploited. The ILO plays an important role in seeing that the work force in not exploited & have ease of working under different cultures & laws. Also they help in achieving uniformity in the work & trade environment in the world. 1

What is ILO ( International Labour Organisation) The ILO is the international organization responsible for drawing up and overseeing international labour standards. It is the only 'tripartite' United Nations agency that brings together representatives of governments, employers and workers to jointly shape policies and programmes promoting Decent Work for all. There 183 countries who are members of ILO Works to promote fair labour standards in health, safety, and working conditions, and freedom of association for workers 1

International Labor Organization Mission: Is devoted to advancing opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. Its main aims are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue in handling work-related issues. In promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights, the organization continues to pursue its founding mission that labour peace is essential to prosperity. Today, the ILO helps advance the creation of decent jobs and the kinds of economic and working conditions that give working people and business people a stake in lasting peace, prosperity and progress. 1

The three main functions of the ILO are: To establish international labour standards; To collect and disseminate information on labour and industrial conditions; and To provide technical assistance for carrying out programmes of social and economic development. 1

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 secure decent employment and income Enhance the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all Strengthen tripartism and social dialogue 1

Origins and history The ILO was founded in 1919 by the Versailles Peace Conference as an autonomous body associated with the League of Nations, in the wake of a destructive war, to pursue a vision based on the premise that universal, lasting peace can be established only if it is based upon decent treatment of working people. The ILO became the first specialized agency of the UN in 1946. ILO is the only 'tripartite' UNs agency in that it brings together reps of govts, employers & workers to jointly shape policies & programmes. This unique arrangement gives the ILO an edge in incorporating 'real world' knowledge about employment and work. The ILO is the global body responsible for drawing up and overseeing international labour standards. Working with its Member States, the ILO seeks to ensure that labour standards are respected in practice as well as principle. 1

International Labor Organization The ILO consists of three principal organisation, namely, the International Labour Conference, the Governing Body and the International Labour Office The work of the Conference and the Governing Body is supplemented by that of Regional Conferences, Regional Advisory Committees, Industrial Committees, etc. The meeting of the General Conference, held normally every year, are attended by four delegates from each member State: Each member state is represented at the conference by four people: two government delegates, an employer delegate and a worker delegate. The International Labour Conference is the supreme organisation of the ILO and acts as the legislative wing of the Organization. The General Conference elect the Governing Body, adopt the Organization’s biennial programme and budget, adopt international labour standards in the form of conventions and Recommendations and provide a forum for discussion of social and labour issues 1

Governing Body The Governing Body is the executive wing of the Organisation. It appoints the Director-General, draws up the agenda of each session of the Conference and examines the implementation by member countries of its Conventions and Recommendations. the Director-General is responsible for the efficient conduct of the International Labour Office and other duties as may be assigned. 1

International Labour Office Headquarters are located at Geneva, provides the secretariat for all conferences and other meetings and is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the administrative and other decisions of the Conference, the Governing Body, etc. The Director-General is the chief executive of the International Labour Office. An important aspect of its work relates to the provision of assistance to member States. It also serves as a clearing house of information on all labour matters. 1

ILO Conventions In order to achieve its objective, the ILO has relied on its standard-setting function. The international labour standards take the form of Conventions and Recommendations. A Convention is a treaty which, when ratified, creates binding international obligations on the country concerned. On the other hand, a Recommendation creates no such obligations but is essentially a guide to national actions. The ILO adopted a series of Conventions and Recommendations covering hours of work, employment of women, children and your persons, weekly rest, holidays leave with wages, night work, industrial safety, health, hygiene, labour inspection, social security, labour-management, relations, freedom of association, wages and wage fixation, productivity, employment, etc. 1

ILO Conventions – Fiji (1974) Fiji has ratified 33 Conventions (30 are in force) – including 8 core conventions Conventions Ratification Forced Labour (C.29) , 1930 19/04/1974 Abolition of Forced Labour (C.105), 1957 Child Labour (C. 182), 1999 17/04/2002 Minimum Age (C. 138), 1973 (minimum age specified : 15 years) 03/01/2003 Discrimination Employment and Occupation (C. 111) , 1958 –Sexual Harassment –Equal Employment Opportunities 14/04/2002 Rights to organize & Collective Bargaining (C. 98), 1949 Freedom of Association & Protection of the Right to Organize (C. 87), 1948 Equal Remuneration (C.100), 1951 1

ILO Conventions Freedom of association, collective bargaining, and industrial relations Forced labour Elimination of child labour and protection of children and young persons Equality of opportunity and treatment Tripartite consultation Labour administration and inspection Employment policy and promotion Vocational guidance and training Employment security Wages Working time Occupational safety and health Social security Maternity protection Social policy Migrant workers Seafarers Fishermen Dockworkers Indigenous and tribal peoples Specific categories of workers Final Articles Conventions 1

South Pacific The twenty two island countries (covered by the ILO Suva Office) of the South Pacific region spread across more than 30 million square kilometers of mostly ocean. Although almost all the countries are politically independent, with their own governments and Heads of State, for most, aid from the former colonial powers, and from other bilateral and multilateral donors, remains important for the overall health of their individual economies and the region, partly because of the relative weakness of most of the economies in the region. Many of the countries are dependent on preferential treatment for exporting their products. These arrangements are declining, which poses a great challenge for these countries to find alternative arrangements and to better manage their own resources - natural, financial and human. The political and civil insecurity in Fiji , Solomon Islands , Tonga and Papua New Guinea has weakened the economic and social institutions (tripartite) of these countries which will need long term support for proper recovery. Labour laws of most of the Pacific Island Countries are inherited from their former colonial powers. With the passing of time and global development, this legislation requires substantive changes and updating. 1