Article by REAS, red de redes, Spain
These days, 187 ILO member States are discussing the issues of the world of work: safety at work, learning and the Social and Solidarity Economy are among the items on the agenda.
From 27 May to 11 June, representatives of governments, workers and employers from the 187 member States of the International Labour Organization (ILO) discuss world of work issues at the International Labour Conference. This year, occupational safety and health , apprenticeships , as well as the Social and Solidarity Economy are among the items on the agenda of the Conference.
Each Member State is represented by a delegation composed of two government delegates, one Employer delegate and one Worker delegate, plus their respective technical advisers; employer and worker delegates are appointed in agreement with the national organizations most representative of employers and workers.
The functions of the Conference are several:
- develop and adopt international labour standards, in the form of Conventions and Recommendations.
- monitor the implementation of both among Member States.
- examine the global reports on the four fundamental rights: (a) freedom of association and effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; (b) the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour; (c) the effective abolition of child labour; and (d) the elimination of discrimination in employment and occupation.
- discuss social and labour issues that are important to the whole world.
- adopt resolutions that provide guidance for the ILO’s overall policy and future activities.
In this 110th edition, the International Labour Conference includes four relevant items on its agenda:
- IV. Apprenticeships (normative action, first discussion).
- V. Recurrent discussion on the strategic objective of employment, in line with the follow-up to the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization.
- VI. Decent work and the Social and Solidarity Economy (general discussion).
- VII. Inclusion of safe and healthy working conditions in the ILO framework on fundamental principles and rights at work, through an amendment to paragraph 2 of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, 1998
Point VI, dedicated to the Solidarity Economy, has raised the following points of discussion:
- In line with international labour standards, what would be a universal definition of the Social and Solidarity Economy, taking into account its values, its principles and its forms of organisation?
- What are the main challenges and opportunities of the Social and Solidarity Economy to promote decent work and sustainable development, contribute to sustainable economic growth and achieve more inclusive and sustainable economies and societies? How can the SSE contribute more to generating decent work, full, productive and freely chosen employment and better living standards for all?
- Given the history and nature of the Social and Solidarity Economy, what is the role of governments and social partners in promoting their contribution to a people-centred recovery that is inclusive, sustainable and resilient?
- Building on the Office’s centuries-old experience in supporting ILO constituents, in collaboration with Social and Solidarity Economy actors, what actions and measures should the Office take as a priority to promote SSE for a people-centred future of work?
The plenary sessions, which were held under the impressive vault decorated by Miquel Barceló in the Human Rights Room of the UN Palais des Nations ( pictured), can be followed through the ILO website.
The Resolution and Conclusions on Decent work and the Social and Solidarity Economy have been adopted on Friday 10 June 2022 . You can find them here.
