The Centenary International Labour Conference – what to expect

 

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Dimitrina Dimitrova

By Dimitrina Dimitrova, Deputy Director of ILO official meetings and relations department

The Centenary International Labour Conference (ILC) will be a gathering like no other. While the ILC is an annual event, this 108th Session of the Conference is taking place in the 100th year of the Organization. To mark this special occasion the focus will be on the profound transformations under way in the world of work, including the evolving role of the ILO in building a future of work we want.

Some 5,700 government, employer and worker delegates from the ILO’s 187 member States are expected to attend what is often called the ’world parliament of labour’. It will be held at the United Nations Palais des Nations in Geneva from 10 to 21 June 2019.

High-level visits

More than 50 high-level dignitaries, including about 45 Heads of State or Government, are expected to address the delegates during two high-level conference segments, from 10 to 12 June and 19 to 20 June. Many heads of international organizations will take part in the discussions, either in the plenary sessions or the thematic forums. On 21 June the Conference will be honoured by the visit of the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres.

The future of work we want

The recommendations of the Global Commission on the Future of Work, Work for a brighter future, published earlier this year, will guide much of the Centenary ILC’s work. In the past few months ILO member States have held dozens of national level dialogues to debate the Report and delegates will address the issues raised in the plenary discussions.

Fighting workplace violence and harassment

Violence and harassment at work affects the health, security and wellbeing of working women and men. Following an initial discussion, held last year, the Centenary Conference will be considering the adoption of a Convention accompanied by a Recommendation on this critical issue.

Centenary Declaration

In the Committee of the Whole, the delegates will consider a Centenary Declaration, which the Conference is expected to adopt. Discussions will cover the forces transforming the world of work and the mission of the ILO in shaping a future of shared prosperity for all.

ILC-2018-room-767x431The application of standards

As usual, the Committee on the Application of Standards will examine the application of ratified Conventions in a number of countries and point out areas where they could be better applied. It will also review the implementation of national policies on progressively achieving social protection for all, as outlined in this year’s General Survey.
Thematic forums and events

To stimulate debate a series of thematic forums and events will take place between 13 and 18 June. Interactive in format and attended by outstanding speakers and special guests, they will provide an opportunity for lively discussions on a broad range of issues shaping the future of work; jobs and skills, technology and decent work, freedom of association and collective bargaining, business for decent work, multilateralism and the future of work, work and life transitions. A debate on building a brighter future without child labour will be held to mark World Day Against Child Labour.

And more…

You can follow all the action via the ILO webpage and social media, with the hashtags #ILO100 for English# and #OIT100 for French and Spanish. In addition, a daily live show will be broadcast from the ILC with highlights of the day’s events, interviews and reports.

2 thoughts on “The Centenary International Labour Conference – what to expect

  1. Es sumamente importante que el mundo celebre la la existencia de un organismo internacional que ha traído paz a la humanidad, no es poca cosa ocuparse de las condiciones en las que los seres humanos trabajan para subsistir.
    La relación laboral dejó de ser un mero asunto esquematico de patrono y trabajador, paso a ser de interés humanitario de todas las sociedades, es la mas importante categoría social del interés publico.

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