The 110th Session Of The International Labour Conference (ILC)

The 110^th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) is currently underway in Geneva, Switzerland. The ILC is the highest decision-making body of the ILO and held annually in June to advance the core mandate of the ILO. The Conference brings together all tripartite delegations from the ILO’s 187 Member States.

The Conference commended with a plenary session on 27^th May, 2022 with the election of the conference functionaries. Mr. Claudio Moroni from Argentina as Conference President; Mr. Ali Samihk Al Marri, Government Vice President; Mr. Alexandre Furlan, Employers’ Vice President; and Mrs. Paola del Carmen Egusquiza Granda, Workers’ Vice President. This was followed by the adoption of operational arrangements of the conference as well as the constitution of conference Committees.

The Director General of the ILO, Mr. Guy Ryder, presented his last report to the ILC dubbed; “Least Developed Countries; Crisis, Structural Transformation and the Future of Work”. The Report underscored the fact that the process of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic has been uneven and incomplete with least developed countries (LDCs) at the brunt of it. The Report admonished Member States to do more and called for the adoption of the Doha Programme of Action for the LDCs to consign the pandemic effects to history, address prevailing crisis and pursue structural transformation towards a more sustainable future for all.

The Chairperson of the Governing Body, H. E. Ms. Anna Jardfelf, also addressed the Conference. Her presentation focused on the resolution concerning the recurrent discussion on the strategic objective of Social Protection (Social Security); resolution concerning a global call to action for a human centered recovery from the COVID-19 crisis; and the inclusion of a safe and healthy working conditions in the ILO’s framework of fundamental principles and rights at work.

The Conference established six Committees based on the standing and technical items adopted. The Standard-Setting Committee on Apprenticeships was tasked with the view to set a new international labour standard on apprenticeships with focus on expanding scope and strategies for quality apprenticeship. In relation to this item, the Ghana Pre-Tertiary Education Act, 2020 (Act 1049) was promulgated to promote Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) of which apprenticeship is inclusive. Although Ghana has apprenticeship instruments in place as compared to other countries, the new instrument to be adopted by the ILO will provide additional directions and guidance in this regard.

The General Discussions Committee examined the key challenges and opportunities on decent work and the social and solidarity economy (SSE). The Committee also underscored the role of government and social partners in promoting decent work and the SSE towards sustainable development and future of work for all. The Recurrent Discussion Committee discussed challenges in different parts of the world linked to structural transformation, economic diversification, climate change, modern technologies, and demographic realities resulting in rising inequalities, slow and uneven recovery from COVID-19, and huge decent work deficits in the world of work. The Committee acknowledged the need for an employment policy framework that would promote sustainable economic growth and productivity in employment.

On the other hand, the General Affairs Committee advocated for the inclusion of safe and healthy working conditions in the ILO’s framework of fundamental principles and rights at work. The Committee also recommended amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 to reflect the changing world of work especially within the maritime sector. It is envisaged that the proposed amendments and adoption of same would contribute to the passage of the Draft National Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill into law to guarantee adequate OSH systems for all.

By convention, the Finance Committee is usually composed of Government representatives since Government funds the activities of the ILO. The Committee considers the financial report and audited consolidated financial statements for the previous year; the scale of assessments of contributions to the budget for 2023; the composition of the Administrative Tribunal of the ILO; and the appointments to the ILO Staff Pension Committee.

The Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS) considers the Report of the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR). The Report entails in particular, the observations on the application of ratified Conventions, as well as the Report of the General Survey under articles 19 and 22 of the ILO Constitution. This 2022 Report focussed on securing decent work for nursing personnel and domestic workers, key actors in the care economy.

In addition to the above, there side events and meetings including ARLAC, Africa Group Meetings and the commemoration of International Day Against Child Labour and the World of Work Summit.

The Conference ends on 11^th June, 2022 with the adoption of various Reports. These Reports culminate in the introduction of new international instruments which provide guidance to Members States including Ghana to shape the World of Work We Want and ensure decent work for all.

The Ghana delegation was led by some members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Employment, Social Welfare and State Enterprises, the Deputy Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Hon Bright Wireko Brobby , the Chief Director, Mr Kizito Ballans , the Chief Labour Officer, Mr. Eugene Kollotey and other directors as well as representatives from the Social Partners.

By Charlotte Hanson

The writer is the Head of Public Affairs with the MELR & Staff of ISD