The 102nd Session of International Labour
Conference of International Labour Organisation (ILO) is scheduled to begin
in the Hague, Geneva next week. The agenda for the fortnight long
session include focus on employment and social protection in
the new demographic context, sustainable development, decent work and green
jobs as well as a recurrent discussion on the strategic
objective of social dialogue.
In
this regard a pre departure briefing under the chairmanship of Union Labour
& Employment Secretary Dr. Mrutyunjay Sarangi was arranged here in New Delhi today for the
members of the Indian Tripartite Delegation attending the 102nd
Session of the International Labour Conference of ILO .
It
was emphasized that as this conference provides a unique opportunity to social
partners and Governments to put forward their views on the issues impinging on
the world of work directly or indirectly and to suggest the best possible
mechanism for handling them. Hence. to
make the best possible use of this occasion and to protect the interest of our
country it is important that the issues before the Conference are understood in
the proper perspective so as to crystallize our views for putting forth
effectively.
The members of
the delegation were given a presentation on the agenda for the ensuing ILO
session which include following items:
Standing
Items
I Reports of the Chairperson of the
Governing Body and of the Director-General
II Programme
and Budget and other questions.
III Information and reports on the application
of Conventions and Recommendations.
Items
placed on the agenda by the Conference or the Governing Body
IV Employment and social protection in the
new demographic context – General discussion
V Sustainable Development, decent work and
green jobs – General discussion
VI A recurrent discussion on the strategic
objective of social dialogue under the follow up to the
2008 ILO Declaration on Social
Justice for a Fair Globalization.
It
was also informed that a Committee of Experts on Application on Conventions and
Recommendations will consider information and reports supplied by Governments
under Article 19, 22 and 35. This year
in the report of Committee of Experts on Application of Conventions and
Recommendations has listed five Conventions in the context of India. These are:
(i) Convention
No. 29 Forced Labour Convention, 1930
(ii) Convention No. 42 Workmen Compensation
(Occupational Diseases) Convention (Revised), 1939.
(iii) Convention No. 200 Equal Remuneration
Convention, 1952
(iv) Convention No.
222 Discrimination (Employment & Occupation) Convention, 1958
(v) Convention No. 111 Employment Policy
Convention, 1964
The
new demographic context in the developed world is characterized principally by
“population-ageing” whereas in India, we are having a sizeable youth
population. The percentage of youth in
India’s population is going to rapidly increase in the coming years. The concern of developed world is regarding
financial pressures on Social Security Systems, because of reduced percentage
of working people. In india, the main challenge before
us is to impart the relevant skills to millions of youth joining the labour
force every year. The ILC Committee
discussing the Agenda Item – “Employment and social protection in the new demographic
context” will debate upon improving decent work opportunities for all working
age population groups and at the same time extending social safety net.
The
Second Technical Committee of the International Labour Conference will be
deliberating upon – “Sustainable Development, decent work and green jobs”. Sustainable Development has three components
– economic, social and environmental.
Last year, in Rio+ 20 meeting various aspects of sustainable development
were discussed at length. Developing
countries were successful in protecting their interest during the discussion in this
meeting and the final outcome document provides adequate support to the stand
taken by developing countries.
Government of India has advocated the policy of CBDR – Combined But Differentiated
Responsibilities i.e. the developing countries should not be burdened
disproportionately for bearing the cost
of shift towards the model of sustainable development being promoted.
The
Third Technical Committee of the International Labour Conference will be “A recurrent
discussion on the strategic objective of social dialogue under the follow up to
the 2008 ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization”. ILO has introduced a system of recurrent
discussion in which in a six year cycle, the four pillars of decent work –
Employment, Social Security, Social Dialogue Rights at Work ( Employment and
Social Security will be discussed twice in this six year cycle). This Conference Committee will focus on the role of
social partners and labour administrators.
Labour Law Reforms and promoting of sound industrial relations will also
be in focus. The discussions of this
Conference Committee assume greater significance in the post-financial crisis
period.
The
participants included representatives of different Trade Unions, the
Confederation of Employers (CIE) and the representatives from ILO besides
senior Officers from the M/o of Labour & Employment.
