The recent development in the international labor sector has seen India take up the Chairmanship of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) for the first time in 35 years. This article is dedicated to exploring this apex position, its significance, and what it entails for the labor market both in India and globally.
A New Chapter in the ILO Governance
Labour & Employment Secretary, Mr. Apurva Chandra, has been elected as the Chairperson of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO). His mandate spans from October 2020 to June 2021. This chairpersonship represents an international reputation, given that the Governing Body (GB) is the highest executive body within the ILO. The GB which holds meetings thrice annually – in March, June, and November – is responsible for decision-making on ILO policy, setting the agenda for the International Labour Conference, adopting the draft programme and budget for submission at the conference, and electing the Director-General.
The Role and Expectations of the Chairperson
As the new chairperson, Mr. Chandra will preside over the upcoming Governing Body meeting scheduled for November 2020. This event will offer a platform to highlight the transformative initiatives taken by the Indian government to loosen labor market rigidity. It will also clarify the government’s intent towards universal social security for all workers regardless of whether they belong to the organized or unorganized sector. Four codes are expected to improve the ease of doing business and protect workers’ interests. These include codes on wages, industrial relations, social security, and occupational safety, health, and working conditions.
International Labour Organization (ILO) at a Glance
Founded in 1919, the ILO is the only tripartite agency under the United Nations that brings together governments, employers, and workers from its 187 member states. The primary role of the ILO, which became a UN specialized agency in 1946, has been to establish International Labour Standards in the form of Conventions and Recommendations, develop labor standards, devise policies, and promote decent work for all women and men. In recognition of its contribution to peace, the ILO was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969.
India and the ILO: A Long-Standing Relationship
Being one of the founding members of the ILO, India has had a permanent seat at the ILO Governing Body since 1922. The country opened its first ILO office six years later in 1928. India has ratified 41 conventions of the ILO over the years, a record that outshines many other countries. However, India hasn’t ratified two important conventions: the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No.87) and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No.98). Of late, there has been growing concern from the ILO over changes made by several Indian states to their labor laws in a bid to revive economic activities stalled by the Covid-19 pandemic.
As India assumes the Chairmanship of the ILO’s Governing Body, anticipation grows not only in India but also globally, on what this new era promises for the future of labor market rights and regulations.
