International Labour Standards

1. International Labour Standards GeneralPresentation

2. Overview I - Origins of the ILO and Standard-setting II - Institutional Structure of the ILO III - Fields covered by ILO Standards: Some examples IV - Legal forms of ILO Standards V - Principal characteristics of ILO Standards VI - Implementation of ILO Standards VII - Special Complaints Procedures VIII - Elaboration and adoption procedures of ILO Standards IX - Conclusion

3. I - Origins of the ILO and Standard-setting • Values enshrined in the Constitution and the Philadelphia Declaration: • “Poverty anywhere constitutes a danger to prosperity everywhere”; • “lasting peace can be established only if it is based on social justice”;

4. “Labour is not commodity”; • “universal and lasting peace can be established only if it is based upon social justice”; • “whereas conditions of labour exist involving such injustice, hardship and privation to large numbers of people as to produce unrest so great that the peace and harmony of the world are imperilled”

5. II- Institutional Structure of the ILO • International Labour Conference (ILC); • Governing Body; • International Labour Office;

6. III- Fields covered by ILO Standards: Some examples a) Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work • Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining, as enshrined in Conventions Nos. 87 and 98; The Elimination of forced and compulsory labour, as contained in Conventions Nos. 29 and 105, The abolition of child labour as foreseen by Conventions Nos. 138 and 182, as well as The Elimination of discrimination at the workplace, as contained in Conventions Nos. 100 and 111

7. b) Priority Conventions • Tripartite Consultation Convention No. 144 ; • Employment Policy Convention No. 122; • Labour Inspection Conventions No. 81 and 129 (Agriculture).

8. C) Other Conventions • Employment; • Social Security; • Women; • Migrant Workers; • Specific occupational categories, such as Seafarers and Agricultural Workers.

9. IV- Legal forms of ILO Standards • Conventions & Recommendations; • Resolutions; • Declarations.

10. V- Principal characteristics of ILO Standards • Universal character; • Flexibility clauses; • Promotional Conventions; • Tripartism.

11. VI- Implementation of ILO Standards a) Reporting Procedures (Article 22 Reports) • First report; • Following reports;

12. b) Committee of Experts • supervisory body; • experts of high qualifications; • independent and impartial, • from all parts of the world in order to represent the different legal systems of the world.

13. C) The Freedom of Association Committee • Independent experts • Meetings three times yearly; • Individual cases concerning Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining; • Crucial field to the ILO.

14. d) The Conference Committee • Composed of governmental delegates; Representatives of Employers and Workers; • Publication of serious cases.

15. VII- Special Complaints Procedures • Representation Procedure (Article 24 of the Constitution); • Complaint (Article 26 of the Constitution).

16. VIII- Elaboration and adoption procedures of ILO Standards • Double discussion procedure; • Simple discussion procedure; • Submission obligation under Article 19 of the Conclusion.