Context: ILO in its ‘World Employment and Social Outlook’ report highlighted that the global unemployment rate is set to increase in 2024.
About International Labour Organisation (ILO)
- It is the only tripartite U.N. agency which brings together governments, employers and workers, (Tripartite) to set labor standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.
- It was created in 1919, under the League of Nations, 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.
- In 1946, the ILO became a specialized agency of the newly formed United Nations.
- It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
- In 1969, the ILO received the Nobel Peace Prize for improving fraternity and peace among nations, pursuing decent work and justice for workers, and providing technical assistance to other developing nations.
- The Governing Body is the executive body of the International Labour Organization. It meets three times a year, in March, June and November.
- The ILO constitution permits any member of the United Nations to become a member of the ILO.
- ILO is also a member of the United Nations Development Group (UNDG).
- The International Labour Conference, held in June 2019, adopted a landmark ILO Centenary Declaration (focuses on the major challenges and opportunities for the future of work, ranging from technology to climate change, from demographic shifts to the need for new skills).
Eleven Fundamental Instruments of the International Labour Organisation:
ILO Governing Body has identified 11 fundamental conventions covering subjects which are considered to be fundamental principles and rights at work. Their Conventions (or Protocols) are legally binding international treaties that may be ratified by member states.
- ILO Convention 87: Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, 1948.
- ILO Convention 98: Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949
- ILO Convention 29 and its 2014 Protocol: Forced Labour Convention, 1930. (India has ratified)
- ILO Convention 105: Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (India has ratified)
- ILO Convention 138: Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (India has ratified and enacted the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation)
- ILO Convention 182: Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (India has ratified)
- ILO Convention 100: Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (India has ratified)
- ILO Convention 111: Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (India has ratified)
- ILO Convention 155: Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981
- ILO Convention 187: Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006
India has ratified 6 fundamental conventions out of the 11 fundamental conventions. ILO Conventions ratified by India are: ILO Convention 29 (Forced Labour Convention), ILO Convention 105 (Abolition of Forced Labour Convention), ILO Convention 138 (Minimum Age Convention), ILO Convention 182 (Worst Forms of Child Labour), ILO Convention 100 (Equal Remuneration Convention) & ILO Convention 111 (Discrimination (Employment & Occupation) Convention).
Governance Conventions:
ILO Governing Body has designated four Conventions as governance (priority) instruments, thereby encouraging member states to ratify them because of their importance for the functioning of the international labor standards system. The four governance conventions are:
- Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (India has ratified)
- Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (India has ratified)
- Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969
- Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standard) Convention, 1976 (India has ratified).
- Reports released by ILO:
- World Employment and Social Outlook
- World Social Protection Report
- Global Estimates of Modern Slavery
- Global Wage Report
- Global Employment Trends for Youth