1. Experiences in ILS/Labour Law Reforms in some Asian countries
Ariel B. Castro
ACTRAV Turin Workers’ Education Programme

2. Ratifications of ILO Fundamental Conventions
Country
Freedom of association
Forced labour
Discrimination
Child labour
C087
C098
C029
C105
C100
C111
C138
C182
Total: 185
152
163
177
174
171
172
166
178
Africa (54) 48 53 54 52
Americas (35) 33 32 34 35 30
Arab States (11) 3 6 11 7 10
Asia (34) 18 21 27 23 28 24
Europe (51) 50 51
The Asia and Pacific region is similar in number with the Americas, and still Asia has an average of 50% less ratifications than the Americas

3. Ratifications of ILO Governance Conventions
The Asia and Pacific Region is similar in number with the Americas, and still Asia has much less ratifications that the Americas.

4. Ratifications of ILO Governance Conventions
10 members have not ratified them:
BRUNEI
KIRIBATI
MALDIVES
MARSHALL ISLANDS
MYANMAR
PALAU
SAMOA
TIMOR LESTE
TUVALU
VANUATU

5. Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
Under Social Justice Declaration (2008), FOA and CB singled out as “particularly important to enable the attainment of ILO’s four strategic [decent work] objectives”
Least widely ratified in Asia Pacific and little progress recorded since 2006.
Samoa (2008), Timor Leste (2009), Solomon Islands (2012), Maldives (2013).
Less than half of the 46 economies have ratified C 87.
13 countries have yet to ratify C 98.
Trade union campaigns and consultations now taking place in India, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam.

6. Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining – Other Issues
ILC drew attention to issues of application in 8 countries that have ratified C87/C98 (Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, India, Korea, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Philippines)
Missions in Bangladesh, Cambodia and Philippines (impartial investigation of murders of trade unionists)
Complaints of trade union violations examined by CFA.

7. Efforts by unions on ILS/LLR

8. Focus on India Has not ratified C87, C98, C138, C182
Since 2009, trade unions have been campaigning for the ratification of remaining core conventions
National Strikes since (150 mn workers joined in 2015)
10 Point Charter of Demands

9. Focus on India (2) As a result of the general strike in September 2015
But there are again renewed moves to reform the labour laws in the country
General strike is planned 02 September 2016

10. Focus on other countries

11. What can we conclude
Unions are in the forefront of resisting «some» aspects of labour law reforms
United actions of unions yield good results
‘Hard’ and ‘soft’ approaches
ILO support important

12. Some suggestions for unions
Campaign for the ratification and respect of the ILO Fundamental Conventions, ILO Conventions 87 and 98.
Use of the ILO Supervisory Mechanisms to promote compliance in law and practice of the ILS
More efficient solutions should be sought to create proper avenues for workers and employers to meet and encourage and promote social dialogue in the interest of both workers and employers

13. Strengthen law enforcement bodies and labour inspectorates
Discussions with employers’ organizations in to achieve their commitment for the respect of trade union rights and bring them to take a stronger stance against anti-union practices by many employers

14. Thank you a.castro@itcilo.org
Bureau for Workers’ Activities
Thank you