Motion no: 54
This BDC notes that 2019 marks the centenary of the foundation of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The founding principle of the ILO: that universal, lasting peace can be established only if it is based on social justice is as relevant today as it was 100 years ago.
The ILO was born out of a desire for global peace in the aftermath of World War Two.
In celebrating the centenary, we note with alarm the growing threat to social justice from the rise of extreme right parties and those who seek to undermine human rights, including the rights of all workers.
BDC commends the ILO’s seven Centenary Initiatives, set out under the headings:
The future of work initiative.
The end of poverty initiative.
The women at work initiative.
The green initiative;
The stands initiatives.
The enterprise initiative.
The governance initiative.
BDC notes that the four pillars of the UN’s Decent Work Agenda – employment creation, social protection, rights at work, and social dialogue are recognised as integral elements of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Goal 8 of that Agenda calls for the promotion of sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work.
While the Organisation has played a significant role in seeking to defend workers throughout its history, the parameters within which it is required to operate undermine the ability of the ILO to hold to account multinational companies with vast resources who exercise far greater economic power than most Governments in
the world.
Currently the ILO can only make determinations in respect of Governments. This severely limits
the ability of the ILO to promote social justice, with reference to social protection, wages, secure work and gender equality.
Conference calls on the ICTU, in conjunction with the ITUC and affiliates, to:
Campaign for fundamental reforms which would allow the ILO to make determinations in respect of employers and not only Governments.
Examine how best the ILO may be used to further campaigns for the achievement of gender equality and the elimination of workplace discrimination.
Support the campaign of the ITUC and European Trade Union Congress for inclusion of Health and Safety standards in the list of labour rights.
Campaign for ILO action on the outcome of the ILO Global Dialogue Forum 2014, with special reference to the abuse of unpaid workers and interns in the media industry.
