2. International Labour Movement, the ILO & ACTRAV Programme for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV) International Training Center of ILO

3. Objectives of this Session We will discuss on: 1.Origins of the Labour Movement 2.Structure of Int’l Labour Movement 3.ILO: Principles, Goals, Structure & Functions 4.Role of ACTRAV (Bureau for Workers’ Activities) 5.Current Issues concerning the ILO

4. Origins of the Labour Movement  UK (1770 – 1850) – from agriculture to industry, Textiles, Coal and later Railways after 1847  Exploitative work conditions – workers organising illegal (Combination Acts of 1799) – Tolpuddle Martyrs, Crafts Organisations & Unions, GNCTU (1834), Chartist movement -NCA (1840)  Post 1850s – Unions grew, ASE (1851), Voting Rights achieved (1867), TUC formed in 1868, Unions legalised by 1871 TU Act, 1875-Employer & Workmen Act, Factory Act 1874

5. Origins of the Labour Movement  In continental Europe- Socialist movement gave rise to unions from 1880s onwards.  South Asia: TUs illegal till late 19 th C; 1 st formal TU in 1905 (textiles in India) – TUs linked to political independence later,  Japan: labour unions started in late 19 th C by social reformers; conditions bad – high mobility, union memberships fluctuated, till 1945, no legal protection; US influence; enterprise family concept (welfare, steady (life time) employment, loyalty);  Post 1 st World War – emergence of International Labour Movement

6. Women Workers & TUs  Women contributed to industrial revolution in many countries – textiles, coal mines, laundry,  But women not well represented; Crafts Unions excluded them mostly;  Attempts to organise women came from outside the labour movement - philanthropists;  1874 : Women's Protective and Provident League formed in UK (later called the Women's Trade Union League)

7. Current Structure WCL World Confederation of Labour [1920 & 1968] WCL World Confederation of Labour [1920 & 1968] WFTU World Federation of Trade Unions [1945]WFTU [1945] GUFs Global Union Federations GUFs ICFTU International Confederation of Free Trade Unions [1949]ICFTU [1949] PSIPSI EIEI UNIUNI IFJIFJ ITFITF ICEMICEM IUFIUF IFBWWIFBWW ITGLWFITGLWF IMFIMF ETUC[1973]ETUC[1973] OECD- TUAC

8. Why International Movement? Solidarity & Unity - the source of strength for workers Solidarity & Unity - the source of strength for workers To ensure application of labour standards globally To ensure application of labour standards globally Response to Globalization Response to Globalization Need to create a global voice of workers

9. ILO: Goals, Principles, Structure & Functions

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

11. Tripartism: Fundamental Principle of the ILO “Tripartism” is : –The active interactions among the government, workers and employers as representative, equal and independent social partners. To seek mutually agreeable solutions for issues of common concerns.

12. 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

13. Major Components of the ILO International Labour Conference Governing Body International Labour Office

14. International Labour Conference Main Tasks: 1.Discuss (in Committees) and adopt (in Plenary) international labour standards, and supervise their application 1.Discuss (in Committees) and adopt (in Plenary) international labour standards, and supervise their application; 2.Elect Governing Body 3.Admit new member(s); 4.Discuss and/or follow up on issues of major concern every yearJune - Meet every year in Geneva in June; - Each member State is represented by two Government delegates, one Employer delegate & one Worker delegate, plus advisers.

15. Governing Body of ILO The executive body of the ILO Meets three times a year (in March, June and November);Meets three times a year (in March, June and November); Takes decisions on ILO policy, decides the agenda of the ILC and elects the Director-General.Takes decisions on ILO policy, decides the agenda of the ILC 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);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 importanceTen of the titular government seats are permanently held by States of chief industrial importance The Employer and Worker members are elected in their individual capacity; andThe Employer and Worker members are elected in their individual capacity; and GB Election is held every three yearsGB Election is held every three years

16. International Labour Office The permanent secretariat of the ILO, located in Geneva, with Regional, Sub-Regional & Area Offices located in different parts of the world + ITC-Turin. Focal point for the overall activities, under the supervision of the Governing Body and under the leadership of a Director-General. The permanent secretariat of the ILO, located in Geneva, with Regional, Sub-Regional & Area Offices located in different parts of the world + ITC-Turin. Focal point for the overall activities, under the supervision of the Governing Body and under the leadership of a Director-General. Some 1,900 officials of over 110 nationalities at the headquarters and in 40 field offices around the world. Some 1,900 officials of over 110 nationalities at the headquarters and in 40 field offices around the world. ACTRAV – has about 40 people working ACTRAV – has about 40 people working

17. Major Functions of ILO  Standard Setting - Adoption of Conventions & Recommendations in the ILC;  Applications of ILS at national level after ratification by the countries;  Technical Cooperation – Advisory functions, Action Programs/Projects, Training of Social Partners;  Advocacy for promotion of Decent Work

18. Freedom of Association ILS : Core Labour Standards Standards concerning fundamental human/social rights Freedom of Association, 1948 Right to Collective Bargaining, 1949 C. 87C. 98 Freedom from Forced Labour Forced Labour, 1930 Abolition of Forced Labour, 1957 C. 29C. 105 Minimum Age for Employment Minimum Age, 1973 Elimination of Worst Forms of Child Labour, 1999 C. 138C. 182 Freedom from Discrimination Equal Remuneration, 1951 Discrimination (Employment and Occupation), 1958 C. 100C. 111

19. Role of Bureau for Workers' Activities (ACTRAV)

20. What does ACTRAV do?  Main link between ILO and the Trade Unions;  Develops activities to strengthen TUs and Workers Rights at the international, regional and national levels;  Disseminates policies and programmes of the ILO to trade unions;  Reflects interests of trade unions in the programmes and actions of the ILO;  Supports workers’ Group in ILO’s decision making bodies and other activities;  Promotes Decent Work and the ratification and implementation of ILO Conventions

21. Structure of ACTRAV Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ILO/ACTRAV-Geneva) Asia/Pacific Desk ILO/ACTRAV-Turin (International Training Center of the ILO) Asia/Pacific Field Specialists (RO, SRO and AO) Bangkok, New Delhi, Manila Overall policy/strategy making Liaison with other units Support for Workers’ Group Reflection of workers’ interests Implementation of training programmes Direct contact with unions Implementation of ACTRAV policies and strategies in each country Dissemination of information

22. Issues for Discussion

23. Current Issues Before ACTRAV-ILO Major Difficulty in protecting the rights and economic well-being of its members” Free Trade Revolution in IT & Transport Privatization Free Capital Flow Global Competition Flexible Labour Policy Globalization Multi-National Enterprises Attack on unionism Weakening Organizing & Bargaining Power of Unions

24. Way Forward Way Forward Trade unions must strengthen their organizing and bargaining power. HOW? Challenge 1: Creating an “Enabling Environment” for Trade Union Activities Challenge 2: Building Capacity of Unions in Organizing and Collective Bargaining

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