TAG: GS 2 SOCIAL JUSTICE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, GS 3 ECONOMY
THE CONTEXT: The 112th International Labour Conference (ILC) marked a pivotal moment in the history of the International Labour Organization (ILO) with significant strides towards establishing international regulations on biological hazards in the workplace.
EXPLANATION:
- The conference, held in Geneva from June 3 to 14, 2024, also focused on the conditions of the care sector, reaffirming the role of fundamental principles and rights in the evolving world of work.
Progress Towards Regulating Biological Hazards
- For the first time, delegates at the ILC initiated the process to create international standards specifically addressing biological hazards in the workplace.
- Currently, no global regulations govern these hazards, which pose significant risks to workers worldwide.
- The discussions are set to continue at the 2025 ILC during the second session of the Standard-Setting Committee on Biological Hazards.
- The outcome could be a new Convention and/or Recommendation, marking a historic development since the recognition of a safe and healthy working environment as a Fundamental Principle and Right at Work.
- Social justice is essential for sustainable peace, shared prosperity, equal opportunities, and a just transition.
Focus on Decent Work in the Care Economy
- The ILC approved a resolution from the General Discussion Committee on Decent Work and the Care Economy.
- This resolution urges the Director-General to develop an action plan supporting the committee’s conclusions and integrating them into future ILO programs and budgets.
- The resolution outlines a comprehensive understanding of the care economy, emphasizing that labor in this sector is not a commodity and all care workers deserve decent work conditions.
- It underscores the critical role of a robust care economy in crisis resilience and socio-economic development.
- The conclusions offer policy guidance and reaffirm the ILO’s leadership in promoting decent work at various levels.
Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW)
- The ILC also adopted conclusions from the Recurrent Discussion Committee on FPRW.
- These conclusions stress the increasing relevance of FPRW in today’s rapidly changing work environment, influenced by demographic, environmental, and digital transformations.
- The committee identified four key areas for policy action:
- Strengthening labour market governance.
- Promoting freedom of association and social dialogue, including collective bargaining.
- Encouraging formalization and sustainable enterprises.
- Ensuring equality and inclusion.
Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS)
- The CAS reviewed the application of several ILO Conventions in 24 countries.
- A special sitting focused on Belarus, seeking compliance with the recommendations of the 2003 Commission of Inquiry regarding ILO Conventions Nos. 87 and 98.
- The committee also discussed the General Survey on Labour Administration in the context of a changing world of work.
- It recognised the importance of effective labour administrations in promoting decent work and upholding fundamental principles and rights.
Situation of Workers in Occupied Arab Territories
- The ILC included a special session addressing the conditions of workers in the occupied Arab territories.
- The situation in Gaza is described as “catastrophic,” noting severe labour rights violations.
- The need for a job-rich recovery grounded in decent work principles has been emphasized.
- Following the Director-General’s report, ILO development partners committed financial and other support for the ILO’s crisis response plan.
- This plan focuses on immediate relief, assessing the war’s labour market impact, and early recovery efforts.
- Donor countries pledged approximately US$10 million to support employment promotion, social protection, and business support initiatives in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Inaugural Forum of the Global Coalition for Social Justice
- During the ILC, the Global Coalition for Social Justice held its inaugural forum, co-chaired by Brazilian President and Nepali President.
- The forum featured participation from over 40 government ministers and included high-level dialogues on building societal resilience, improving policy coherence, and fostering social dialogue for shared prosperity.
- Director-General emphasized the need to translate the forum’s discussions into concrete actions to develop the Coalition’s thematic areas.
- Launched in 2023, the Coalition has attracted over 290 members, including governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations, UN and regional organizations, financial institutions, academic institutions, international NGOs, and enterprises, all committed to promoting greater social justice.
Biological Hazards (Biohazards)
- Biohazards are of organic origin or conveyed by biological vectors, including pathogenic microorganisms (virus, bacteria. Fungi, etc.), toxins and bioactive substances.
- People working in healthcare, agriculture, and laboratory settings are at greatest risk.
- Factors driving biohazards’ development are shifts in atmospheric and weather conditions, heat-related risks, and overuse of antimicrobials.
- Measures taken: ILO Conventions 155 and 187, and India’s Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.
International Labour Organization (ILO)
- The only tripartite U.N. agency, since 1919 the ILO brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 Member States, to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.
- It was created in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I, to reflect the belief that universal and lasting peace can be accomplished only if it is based on social justice.
- The Constitution of the ILO was drafted in early 1919 by the Labour Commission
- It became the first affiliated specialized agency of the United Nations in 1946.
- Its headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland
- Its founding mission is “social justice is essential to universal and lasting peace”.
- It promotes internationally recognized human and labour rights.
- It received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969.
