The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, a prominent labour union, has recently urged the Prime Minister of India to call for a meeting of the Indian Labour Conference (ILC) due to an obligation set forth upon India’s ratification of Convention No 144 as framed by the International Labour Organisation. The union insists that holding this conference is essential to fortify the tripartite mechanism in place.
About the Indian Labour Conference
The ILC, also recognized as the ‘labour parliament’ of the country, was established with influences from the International Labour Conference, embodying a tripartite advisory panel within the Ministry of Labour & Employment. This top-tiered forum includes Government, Employers, and Workers as its constituents. Its inception, dating back to 1942 when it was known as the Tripartite National Labour Conference, has seen 46 sessions so far, the latest of which took place in 2015.
Composition of the ILC and its Interaction with the International Labour Conference
The International Labour Conference, often referred to as the International Parliament of Labour, is convened annually by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Each member state is represented by a delegation, which includes two government delegates, an employer delegate, and a worker delegate, along with their respective advisors. As such, the agenda for the ILC is set by the Standing Labour Committee, another tripartite body, following comprehensive discussions.
The Role and Membership of the ILC
The primary objective of the ILC is to provide guidance to the government on matters affecting the working class of the country. Its membership encompasses the Central Trade Union Organisations, Central Organisations of employers, all State Governments, and Union Territories. In addition, the Central Ministries or Departments associated with the agenda items are also part of the ILC.
Government Initiatives Catering to the Working Class
The government has initiated several programs targeting the welfare of the working class. These include the New Labour Codes 2020, Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan, National Pension Scheme for Traders, Shopkeepers, and Self-Employed Persons, as well as the Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana.
About the International Labour Organisation (ILO)
The ILO, an entity affiliated with the United Nations, is the only tripartite agency involving governments, employers, and workers from its 187 member states (including India). Set up in 1919 through the Treaty of Versailles and later associated with the UN in 1946, it has committed to establish labour standards, create work-related policies, and implement programmes that promote decent work for all men and women. Its significant contributions were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969.
Exploring Convention No 144 of the ILO
Convention No 144, also known as the Convention on Tripartite Consultation established in the year 1976 underlines the significance of tripartite social dialogue in developing and implementing international labour standards. This convention encourages a national culture of social dialogue on broader social and economic issues. It constitutes one of the principal foundations upon which the International Labour Organization was established.