ILO What it is and what it does? Programme for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV) International Training Center of ILO

History of the ILO The ILO was founded in 1919. It is the only surviving major creation of the Treaty of Versailles, which brought the League of Nations into being. The ILO became the first specialized agency of the UN in 1946. The ILO has 183 Member States.

ILO The ILO & Tripartism It is a tripartite organisation in that it brings together representatives of governments, employers and workers as equal partners to jointly shape policies and programmes. ILO

Tripartism: How it works? Active Interaction in order to seek joint solutions Partners must be willing to reach, and respect, agreements Partners must be committed, competent and active

Mandate & Functions of the ILO The ILO is a specialized UN agency which seeks the promotion of social justice and internationally recognised human and labour rights Standard-setting: elaborate, adopt & promote ILS and supervise their implementation Provides technical assistance Promotes the development of independent workers’ and employers’ organisations and provides training and advisory services to those organisations. Fosters tripartism

Standard Setting International Labour Standards (ILS) Conventions Recommendations Adoption by the Conference Application at national level (through legislation and practice)

ILS: Conventions and Recommendations International treaties Legally binding, when ratified If not ratified, are sources of inspiration for national law and practices 188 Conventions as of today RECOMMENDATIONS Not open to ratification Not legally binding Provide general or technical guidelines for national action 200 Recommendations as of today

Core Conventions C87 Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, 1948 C98 Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining, 1949 C29 Forced Labour, 1930 C105 Abolition of Forced Labour, 1957 C138 Minimum Age, 1973 C182 Worst Forms of Child Labour, 1999 C100 Equal Remuneration, 1951 C111 Discrimination (Employment and Occupation), 1958 ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, 1998 All ILO Member States, even if they have not ratified the fundamental Conventions, have an obligation to respect, promote and realize the fundamental rights and principles at work, because of their membership in the Organisation

Priority Conventions C81 Labour Inspection, 1947 C129 Labour Inspection (Agriculture), 1969 C122 Employment Policy, 1964 C144 Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards), 1976 ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization, 2008 These Conventions are significant from the viewpoint of governance

Characteristics of ILS Universal  set at the world level Flexible  set respecting the needs of all ILO Member States Tripartite  expression of international tripartite agreements Minimum protection  fix minimum level of protection International supervision  Their application is subject to an international control

Subjects Covered by ILS 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 Social policy Wages Working time Occupational safety and health Social security Maternity protection Migrant workers Seafarers Fishers Dockworkers Indigenous and tribal peoples Specific categories

Fundamental Goal of ILO SOCIAL JUSTICE PREAMBLE“Universal and lasting peace can be established only if it is based upon social justice” Better Working Conditions Technical Co-operation Standard Setting Tripartite System Meetings - Information - Research - Expertise

International Labour Conference International Labour Office The ILO Structure International Labour Conference Governing Body International Labour Office

International Labour Conference - Meet every year in Geneva in June; - Each member State is represented by two G delegates, one E delegate & one W delegate, plus advisers. Main Tasks: Discuss (in Committee) and adopt (in Plenary) international labour standards, and supervise their application; Elect Governing Body; Admit a new Member; Pass resolutions which provide guidelines for the ILO's general policy and future activities; Adopt every two years the ILO's biennial work programme and budget. ICFTU, WCL, WFTU and OATUU have full consultative status with the ILO.

Governing Body of ILO The executive body of the ILO Composition Meets three times a year (in March, June and November); Takes decisions on ILO policy; Decides the agenda of the Conference; and Elects the Director-General. Composition 56 titular (28 G, 14 E and 14 W) and 66 deputy (28 G, 19 E and 19 W); Ten of the titular government seats are permanently held by States of chief industrial importance (Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States); and The Employer and Worker members are elected in their individual capacity; and GB Election is held every three years.

International Labour Office The Headquarters is in Geneva The Regional Offices (RO) Sub-Regional Offices (SRO) The Area Offices (AO) International Training Center of ILO

Roles of ACTRAV ACTRAV is the link between the International Labour Office and one of its key stakeholders: the trade union movement. Disseminate policies and programmes of the ILO and its technical units to trade unions. Reflect interests of trade unions in programmes and actions of the ILO. Support workers’ representatives in ILO’s decision making bodies. Educate and train trade union leaders/activists/staff.

Structure of ACTRAV Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ILO/ACTRAV-Geneva) Overall policy/strategy making Liaison with other unit Support for Workers’ Group Reflection of workers’ interests ILO/ACTRAV-Turin (International Training Center of the ILO) Field Specialists (RO, SRO and AO) Why do we have to have well-established trade unions? - Trade unions are “the building blocks of democracy”; - Trade unions are “training schools for democracy”; and - Trade unions are “the crucial partners in tripartism”. What do we have to do? - “Capacity Building” : Strengthening trade unions’ ability to train members and to build strong organizations; - “Policy Development” : Helping the unions to deal with new issues Direct contact with unions Implementation of ACTRAV policies and strategies in each country Dissemination of information Implementation of training policies and programmes

Thank you for your attention! Programme for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV) ITC-ILO