The Centenary Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO) ended with the adoption of an unprecedented Convention and accompanying Recommendation to combat violence and harassment in the world of work, as well as a Declaration charting the way towards a human-centered future of work.
The ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work, 2019, is a reaffirmation of the relevance and importance of the ILO’s mandate in the changing world of work, a strong statement of intent, a mobilizing call, and a road map for action by the ILO itself.
“What we have adopted today is a roadmap, a compass to take us forward in the future of this Organization, because the future of work is the future of our Organization,” said ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder.
The Declaration looks to the future of work with a human-centered lens. It has a strong focus on enabling people to benefit from changes in the world of work, by strengthening the institutions of work to ensure adequate protection of all workers, and by promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable growth and full and productive employment.
Specific areas for action identified include:
- The effective realization of gender equality in opportunities and treatment
- Effective lifelong learning and quality education for all
- Universal access to comprehensive and sustainable social protection
- Respect for workers’ fundamental rights
- An adequate minimum wage
- Maximum limits on working time
- Safety and health at work
- Policies that promote decent work, and enhance productivity
- Policies and measures that ensure appropriate privacy and personal data protection, and respond to challenges and opportunities in the world of work relating to the digital transformation of work, including platform work.
The new international labour standard aims to protect workers and employees, irrespective of their contractual status, and includes persons in training, interns and apprentices, workers whose employment has been terminated, volunteers, jobseekers and job applicants. It recognizes that “individuals exercising the authority, duties or responsibilities of an employer” can also be subjected to violence and harassment.
The two-week ILC was attended by about 6,300 delegates, representing Governments, workers and employers from 178 of the ILO’s member States, as well as observer national and international non-governmental organizations.
Original source: ILO
Published on 21 June 2019
