In 2019, a landmark event took place in the world of labor and employment. The International Labour Organization (ILO), an agency under the United Nations, marked its 100th anniversary. To celebrate this milestone, the ILO launched seven Centenary Initiatives as part of an action pack to equip the organization with the necessary tools for the successful implementation of its social justice mandate.
The Seven Centenary Initiatives
These initiatives suggest concrete strategies to confront anticipated challenges in the domain of work and labour in the upcoming century.
The Future of Work Initiative is focused on establishing a global dialogue about the future dynamics of work. The initiative’s aim is to prepare and assist governments, workers, and employers in adapting to and addressing new work-related challenges.
The End to Poverty Initiative promotes multi-dimensional responses through labour markets, world of work, and social and employment protection in order to eradicate global poverty.
The Women at Work Initiative aims to redefine the role and conditions of women in the professional sphere. It encourages involvement from workers, employers, and governments to ensure equal opportunity and treatment.
The Green Initiative aims at expanding ILO’s knowledge, policy advice, and tools to successfully manage the transition towards an environmentally conscious, low carbon future.
The Standards Initiative emphasizes improving the relevancy of international labour standards through a review mechanism and establishing tripartite consensus on an authoritative supervisory system.
The Enterprises Initiative is targeted at creating a platform for ILO engagement with enterprises to support their sustainability and contribute to the goals of the ILO.
The Governance Initiative focuses on reforming the ILO’s governance structures while measuring the impact of the 2008 Declaration.
Ratification of ILO Conventions by India
India is one of the countries that has ratified six out of eight core ILO conventions. However, two conventions, Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 and Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 were not ratified due to restrictions on government employees.
| Convention | Year | Ratified by India |
|---|---|---|
| Forced Labour Convention | 1930 | Yes |
| Abolition of Forced Labour Convention | 1957 | Yes |
| Equal Remuneration Convention | 1951 | Yes |
| Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention | 1958 | Yes |
| Minimum Age Convention | 1973 | Yes |
| Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention | 1999 | Yes |
| Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention | 1948 | No |
| Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention | 1949 | No |
About the International Labour Organization (ILO)
Established in 1919 as part of the Treaty of Versailles post World War I, the ILO operates on the belief that universal and lasting peace can be achieved only on the foundation of social justice. The ILO became a specialized agency under United Nations auspices in 1946.
The ILO boasts a tripartite organization structure, bringing together representatives of governments, employers, and workers in its executive bodies. This approach is unique in the world of international organizations.
Since its inception, the International Labour Organization has maintained and developed a system of international labour standards aimed at promoting opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work, in conditions of freedom, equity, security, and dignity.
In recognition of its efforts in ensuring fraternity and peace among nations through encouraging decent work and justice for workers, as well as providing technical assistance to other developing countries, the ILO was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969.