Countries urged to ratify labor conventions

Since its founding in 1919, ILO international labor standards have improved the working lives of millions of people. From eliminating forced and child labor to ensuring the rights of seafarers and promoting gender equality, the 189 Conventions and 205 Recommendations adopted by member States during the last 100 years have formed the bedrock of the ILO and its mandate.

However, many issues in the world of work remain, and with new challenges being created by globalization and cross border activities, international labor standards are needed more than ever. Therefore, to mark its Centenary year, the ILO is urging its 187 member States to ratify at least one additional ILO Convention or Protocol in 2019.

“Ratifications and the full application of ILO global labor standards will ultimately lift up millions of workers whose livelihoods today, like 100 years ago, are facing substantial challenges,” said Corinne Vargha, Director of the International Labour Standards Department.

More than 30 member States have already made a head start, having signed Conventions or Protocols in 2019 or ratified instruments that will enter into force this year.

ILO Conventions are negotiated by government, employers’ and workers’ representatives. They fall into three categories:

• Fundamental Conventions, which cover child labor forced labor, discrimination at work, the right to organize and collective bargaining;
• Governance Conventions, which strengthen social dialogue, labor inspection and policies for full, productive and freely chosen employment;
• Technical Conventions, which cover a range of issues including specific categories of workers, minimum wages, pensions, occupational safety and health.

In the last 100 years, the implementation of international labor standards has led to positive changes on a wide range of issues. For instance, Conventions on child labor contributed to the reduction in child labor from 246 million children in 2000 to 152 million in 2016. Conventions on working time have placed limits on working hours and the working week. The Maritime Labour Convention – which currently covers more than 90 percent of the world’s gross shipping tonnage – has improved working conditions for many seafarers.

Original source: ILO
Published on 18 February 2019