Tema-Ghana, June 19, CDA Consult – At the 111th International Labour Conference (ILC), delegates passed resolutions on a just transition, labour protection, the standards report, the programme and budget, and a resolution on Belarus in addition to new labour standards.
In order to encourage “opportunities for people of all ages to skill, reskill, and upskill continuously” in labour markets that are rapidly changing, the new labour standard was created.
It outlines aspirational requirements for high-quality apprenticeships and clearly defines what an apprentice is entitled to and how they are protected. This was stated in the conference’s final communiqué, which was distributed to the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Tema.
The report states that the General Discussion Committee on a Just Transition’s recommendations, which emphasised the urgent need to progress a just transition in order to achieve social justice, reduce poverty, and support decent work, were also adopted.
The delegates agreed that the ILO Guidelines for a Just Transition towards Environmentally Sustainable Societies should serve as the cornerstone of policymaking and a platform for action.
The resolution that outlines a path towards more inclusive, appropriate, and effective labour protection for all employees was approved by delegates, and it served as the foundation for formulating a plan of action. The committee’s recommendations were also approved.
A resolution on Belarus was also approved by the Conference in accordance with Article 33 of the ILO Constitution.
The resolution seeks to ensure that the Belarusian government complies with the recommendations of an ILO commission of inquiry that looked into the country’s observance of the 1949 Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention (No. 98) and the 1948 Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention.
The report of the Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS), a key oversight body of the ILO’s standards system, was adopted during the plenary session. 24 unique country cases involving the adherence of ILO Conventions were evaluated by the CAS.
It took into account the General Survey on Achieving Gender Equality at Work from the Committee of Experts.
The tripartite members of the committee emphasised the urgent need to end all forms of discrimination in employment and occupation, to ensure complete and effective maternity protection, and to ensure the right of employees with family responsibilities to engage in employment as they concluded the discussion.
13 ratifications of international labour conventions were registered during the conference, particularly in relation to the conventions on occupational safety and health and the recently enacted convention against violence and harassment in the workplace (C190).
The text and resolution acknowledged the “different positions expressed on some issues” while reiterating the commitment made by all three ILO constituencies to “combat all forms of discrimination and exclusion on any ground for the benefit of all.”
A high-level World of Work Summit with the topic “Social Justice for All” was place between June 14 and 15. Sixteen Heads of State and Government, as well as members of other UN and multinational organisations, workers’ organisations, and employers’ organisations, attended.
The idea for a Global Coalition for Social Justice was one of many social justice-related topics that the participants explored.
Inequalities and informality, promoting equal opportunities, lifelong learning and skill development, social protection, and the best approaches to enhance trade, sustainable development, and human and labour rights were all topics covered by the high-level panels.
The conference commemorated World Day Against Child Labour on June 12. ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo urged the international community to support more social justice and intensify the battle against child work at a time when child labour rates are rising.
Mr. Houngbo, who delivered a speech during the ILC closing ceremony, praised the delegates for their accomplishments and dedication to the ILO’s mission, saying, “Your skilled negotiations and careful diplomacy resulted in the adoption of several significant documents at this conference.”
We heard overwhelming and unambiguous support for a Global Coalition for Social Justice as we continue the ILO’s arduous journey to realise its mandate.
“Heads of state, labour ministers, and executives from employers’ and workers’ organisations recognised the Global Coalition as a vital and important endeavour. Now, we need to continue this momentum, he continued.
Approximately 5,000 delegates from the 187 ILO Member States who represented governments, employees, and employers attended the 111th International Labour Conference.
The meeting took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from June 5–16 at the UN Palais des Nations.
