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What's the best bit of the UN? No 8: International Labour Organisation What's the best bit of the UN? No 8: International Labour Organisation
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Born out of the ashes of the first world war in 1919, the creation of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) was inspired by the idea that social justice was crucial to world order and peace. It was also a recognition that the world was changing, with the mass exploitation of workers in rapidly industrialising nations, the influx of a generation of war-damaged young men back into the workplace and the need for cooperation in establishing labour rights in nations competing for rapidly globalising markets.Born out of the ashes of the first world war in 1919, the creation of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) was inspired by the idea that social justice was crucial to world order and peace. It was also a recognition that the world was changing, with the mass exploitation of workers in rapidly industrialising nations, the influx of a generation of war-damaged young men back into the workplace and the need for cooperation in establishing labour rights in nations competing for rapidly globalising markets.
In recognition of this, the ILO was designed as the first truly tripartite labour organisation, giving equal voice to governments, workers and employers in its executive bodies. Its aims were ambitious: to create a framework of worker rights, protection against exploitation and slavery and ensure the freedom to form unions.In recognition of this, the ILO was designed as the first truly tripartite labour organisation, giving equal voice to governments, workers and employers in its executive bodies. Its aims were ambitious: to create a framework of worker rights, protection against exploitation and slavery and ensure the freedom to form unions.
In 1969, the year of its 50th anniversary, it was awarded the Nobel peace prize for its work pursuing decent work and justice. By 1996 its membership had boomed to 186 member states, who jointly published the first Declaration on the Fundamental Principles of Rights at Work, putting a legal responsibility on all members to collectively work towards ensuring the free association of workers, the elimination of forced and child labour and the end of workplace discrimination.In 1969, the year of its 50th anniversary, it was awarded the Nobel peace prize for its work pursuing decent work and justice. By 1996 its membership had boomed to 186 member states, who jointly published the first Declaration on the Fundamental Principles of Rights at Work, putting a legal responsibility on all members to collectively work towards ensuring the free association of workers, the elimination of forced and child labour and the end of workplace discrimination.
To date the ILO has passed and ratified 189 labour rights conventions. Some are genuinely groundbreaking. For example, the 2011 domestic workers convention is a recognition that the world’s 53 million domestic workers are often in private households unprotected and excluded from legislation protecting other workforces. As well as imposing weekly working hours, time off and other basic rights, the convention also obliges ratifying member states to protect domestic workers from abuse, stop child labour in domestic work and regulate employment agencies recruiting domestic workers.To date the ILO has passed and ratified 189 labour rights conventions. Some are genuinely groundbreaking. For example, the 2011 domestic workers convention is a recognition that the world’s 53 million domestic workers are often in private households unprotected and excluded from legislation protecting other workforces. As well as imposing weekly working hours, time off and other basic rights, the convention also obliges ratifying member states to protect domestic workers from abuse, stop child labour in domestic work and regulate employment agencies recruiting domestic workers.
Yet since its inception in 1919, the ILO has been accused of being lumbering and out of touch Yet since its inception in 1919, the ILO has been accused of being lumbering and out of touch, mired in bureaucracy and failing to ensure that its conventions and guidelines are taken seriously by ratifying member states. When pushed, the ILO will publicly condemn ratifying member states for breaches, such as last year when it spoke out against Qatar allowing forced labour to continue in its construction industry. However, there is no real indication that this makes much difference to those being exploited.
, mired in bureaucracy and failing to ensure that its conventions and guidelines are taken seriously by ratifying member states. When pushed, the ILO will publicly condemn ratifying member states for breaches , such as last year when it spoke out against Qatar allowing forced labour to continue in its construction industry. However, there is no real indication that this makes much difference to those being exploited.
An assessment by the UK’s Department for International Development in 2011 painted a dismal picture of the ILO’s capacity to follow through on the ground, rating its performance as “poor” in many key criteria. It concluded that the UN body was not effective at country level and lacked the technical and delivery capacity to match its policy advocacy successes. It also said that not enough of its resources were spent on lower income countries, where labour abuses still flourish.An assessment by the UK’s Department for International Development in 2011 painted a dismal picture of the ILO’s capacity to follow through on the ground, rating its performance as “poor” in many key criteria. It concluded that the UN body was not effective at country level and lacked the technical and delivery capacity to match its policy advocacy successes. It also said that not enough of its resources were spent on lower income countries, where labour abuses still flourish.
Another key area of activity for the ILO – data and statistics on labour conditions – continues to provide a valuable insight into the working conditions of millions. Its data on forced labour and modern-day slavery, which estimates that 21 million people are trapped in some sort of labour enslavement, is still considered by many to be the most reliable source. Yet the ILO admits that such statistics are at best conservative estimates, as it struggles to find ways of evaluating the true state of a global workforce that is now constantly moving and evolving.Another key area of activity for the ILO – data and statistics on labour conditions – continues to provide a valuable insight into the working conditions of millions. Its data on forced labour and modern-day slavery, which estimates that 21 million people are trapped in some sort of labour enslavement, is still considered by many to be the most reliable source. Yet the ILO admits that such statistics are at best conservative estimates, as it struggles to find ways of evaluating the true state of a global workforce that is now constantly moving and evolving.
In a world of complex supply chains, increasing global deregulation of the labour market and mass movement of workers across borders, it is unclear whether the ILO can keep pace.In a world of complex supply chains, increasing global deregulation of the labour market and mass movement of workers across borders, it is unclear whether the ILO can keep pace.
In praise of...In praise of...
My name is Farzana Islam. I work for the department of inspection for factories and establishments (DIFE) in Bangladesh as a labour inspector. I received training from the ILO and now I work closely with both workers and factory management.My name is Farzana Islam. I work for the department of inspection for factories and establishments (DIFE) in Bangladesh as a labour inspector. I received training from the ILO and now I work closely with both workers and factory management.
As a woman this profession is a challenge but it is an honourable job. I help workers if they have problems, like if their salaries are not being paid, and we tell them their rights. We also help management with compliance.As a woman this profession is a challenge but it is an honourable job. I help workers if they have problems, like if their salaries are not being paid, and we tell them their rights. We also help management with compliance.
In the past, some factories were good while others were not, but now the picture is changing. I think our garment sector can get better in the future.In the past, some factories were good while others were not, but now the picture is changing. I think our garment sector can get better in the future.