In accordance with the Versailles Treaty, the International Labour Organization( ILO) was established in 1919. Geneva, Switzerland is the ILO’s main office.• Its distinctive tripartite structure ensures that labor standards accurately reflect the opinions of social partners by ensuring that their unique voices are heard by employees, employers, and governments. and in shaping policies and programmers. It became the first UN-wide specialized agency in 1946. To achieve social justice and peace among nations, the ILO embodies a vision of universal, compassionate labor conditions. International Labour Organization was one of the first organizations to deal with labour issues. The ILO‘s initial and most significant task has been to create, promote, and monitor international labor standards. To date, the organization has created 189 globally applicable, legally binding Conventions and 202 legally non – binding Recommendations for the regulation of labour conditions.
International Labour Standards
The ILO sets international labour standards through various conventions, which are ratified by member nations. These are non-binding.
The ILO drafts conventions with input from governments, workers and employers’ groups, which are adopted by the International Labour Conference.
By ratifying an ILO convention, a member nation accepts it as a legally binding document. Many countries use these conventions as a document to bring their national laws in line with international laws.
The Decent Work Agenda
One of the key objectives of the ILO is to promote social dialogue, social protection and job creation as well as to provide decent work for all under international labour standards.
Trade organizations in the ILO
Trade organizations play an important role in the ILO’s policy development, with the labour force being represented by national trade organizations.
The Bureau of Labour Activities in the Secretariat is dedicated to strengthening independent and democratic trade organizations so that they can better defend the rights and interests of workers.
- Supervisory role of the ILO
- The ILO monitors the implementation of ILO conventions ratified by Member States. This is done through:
- The Committee of Experts on the Implementation of Conventions and Recommendations.
- The Tripartite Committee of the International Labour Conference on 5. the Implementation of Conventions and Recommendations.
Member States are also required to report on the progress of implementation of conventions they have ratified.
ilo international labour organization Complaints
The ILO files complaints against organizations that violate international rules; however, it does not impose sanctions on governments.
Complaints may also be filed against Member States on the grounds that they have not complied with ILO conventions they have ratified. Complaints can be made by any Member State that has signed the same convention and acts as a representative to the International Labour Conference or the ILO’s governing body.
- ILO Global Commission on the Future of Work
- The formation of the ILO Global Commission on the Future of Work marks the second phase in the ILO Future of Work Initiative.
- It was co-chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven.
- The Commission outlines a human-centred agenda based on investing in people’s capabilities, institutions and sustainable work.
- It has undertaken an in-depth examination of the future of work that can provide an analytical basis for the delivery of social justice in the 21st century.
- It highlights the challenges posed by new technologies, climate change and population and calls for a collective global response to the disruptions they are causing in the world of labour.
- Artificial intelligence, automation and robotics will result in a reduction in employment opportunities as old skills become obsolete.
ilo recommendations are:
- A universal labour guarantee that protects the fundamental rights of workers, ensuring an adequate wage, reasonable working hours and safe workplace.
- A social security guarantee from birth to old age that supports people’s needs.
- A universal right to lifelong learning that enables people to acquire skills, reskill and upskill.
- Managing technological change to promote decent work, including an international governance system for digital labour platforms.
- Greater investment in care, green and rural economies.
- A transformative and measurable agenda for gender equality.
