International Labour International Labour Movement, the Movement, the ILO & ILO &

ACTRAVACTRAV

Programme for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV)

International Training Center of ILO

Objectives of this SessionObjectives of this Session

We willWe will discuss on:discuss on:

1.1. Origins of the Labour MovementOrigins of the Labour Movement

2.2. Structure of Int’l Labour MovementStructure of Int’l Labour Movement

3.3. ILO: Principles, Goals, Structure & ILO: Principles, Goals, Structure & Functions Functions

4.4. Role of ACTRAV (Bureau for Workers’ Role of ACTRAV (Bureau for Workers’ Activities)Activities)

5.5. Current Issues concerning the ILOCurrent Issues concerning the ILO

Origins of the Labour Origins of the Labour MovementMovement

UKUK (1770 – 1850) – from agriculture to industry, (1770 – 1850) – from agriculture to industry, Textiles, Coal and later Railways after 1847Textiles, Coal and later Railways after 1847

Exploitative work conditions – workers organising Exploitative work conditions – workers organising illegal (Combination Acts of 1799) – Tolpuddle illegal (Combination Acts of 1799) – Tolpuddle Martyrs, Crafts Organisations & Unions, GNCTU Martyrs, Crafts Organisations & Unions, GNCTU (1834), Chartist movement -NCA (1840) (1834), Chartist movement -NCA (1840)

Post 1850s – Unions grew, ASE (1851), Voting Rights Post 1850s – Unions grew, ASE (1851), Voting Rights achieved (1867), TUC formed in 1868, achieved (1867), TUC formed in 1868, Unions Unions legalised by 1871 TU Act,legalised by 1871 TU Act, 1875-Employer & 1875-Employer & Workmen Act, Factory Act 1874Workmen Act, Factory Act 1874

Origins of the Labour Origins of the Labour MovementMovement

In continental EuropeIn continental Europe- Socialist - Socialist movement gave rise to unions from 1880s movement gave rise to unions from 1880s onwards.onwards.

South Asia:South Asia: TUs illegal till late 19 TUs illegal till late 19thth C;C; 1 1stst formal TU in 1905 (textiles in India) – TUs formal TU in 1905 (textiles in India) – TUs linked to political independence later, linked to political independence later,

Japan:Japan: labour unions started in late 19 labour unions started in late 19thth CC by social reformers; conditions bad – high by social reformers; conditions bad – high mobility, union memberships fluctuated, mobility, union memberships fluctuated, till 1945, no legal protection; US influence; till 1945, no legal protection; US influence; enterprise family concept (welfare, steady enterprise family concept (welfare, steady (life time) employment, loyalty); (life time) employment, loyalty);

Post 1Post 1stst World War – World War – emergence of emergence of International Labour MovementInternational Labour Movement

Women Workers & TUsWomen Workers & TUs

Women contributed to industrial revolution in Women contributed to industrial revolution in many countries – textiles, coal mines, laundry,many countries – textiles, coal mines, laundry,

But women not well represented; Crafts But women not well represented; Crafts Unions excluded them mostly;Unions excluded them mostly;

Attempts to organise women came from Attempts to organise women came from outside the labour movement - outside the labour movement - philanthropists; philanthropists;

1874 : Women's Protective and Provident 1874 : Women's Protective and Provident League formed in UK (later called the League formed in UK (later called the Women's Trade Union League) Women's Trade Union League)

Current StructureCurrent Structure

WCLWCL

World Confederation

World Confederation

of Labourof Labour

[1920 & 1968]

[1920 & 1968]

WCLWCL

World Confederation

World Confederation

of Labourof Labour

[1920 & 1968]

[1920 & 1968]

WFTUWFTU

World Federation of

World Federation of

Trade Unions

Trade Unions

[1945][1945]

WFTUWFTU

World Federation of

World Federation of

Trade Unions

Trade Unions

[1945][1945]

GUFsGUFsGlobal Union Global Union FederationsFederations

GUFsGUFsGlobal Union Global Union FederationsFederations

ICFTUICFTU

International Confederation

International Confederation

of Free Trade Unions

of Free Trade Unions

[1949][1949]

ICFTUICFTU

International Confederation

International Confederation

of Free Trade Unions

of Free Trade Unions

[1949][1949]

PSIPSIPSIPSIEIEIEIEI

UNIUNIUNIUNIIFJIFJIFJIFJ

ITFITFITFITFICEMICEMICEMICEM

IUFIUFIUFIUF

IFBWWIFBWWIFBWWIFBWWITGLWFITGLWFITGLWFITGLWF

IMFIMFIMFIMF

ETUCETUC[1973][1973]ETUCETUC[1973][1973]

OECD-OECD-TUACTUAC

OECD-OECD-TUACTUAC

Why International Why International Movement?Movement?

Solidarity & Unity - the source of Solidarity & Unity - the source of strength for workersstrength for workers

To ensure application of labour To ensure application of labour standards globallystandards globally

Response to GlobalizationResponse to Globalization

Need to create a global voice of workersNeed to create a global voice of workersNeed to create a global voice of workersNeed to create a global voice of workers

ILO: Goals, Principles, ILO: Goals, Principles, Structure & FunctionsStructure & Functions

Fundamental Goal of ILOFundamental Goal of ILO

Standard Setting

Technical Co-operation

Better Working ConditionsBetter Working Conditions

Meetings - Information - Research - Expertise

SOCIAL JUSTICESOCIAL JUSTICESOCIAL JUSTICESOCIAL JUSTICE

TripartiteTripartiteSystemSystem

TripartiteTripartiteSystemSystem

PREAMBLEPREAMBLE

“Universal and lasting peace can be established only if it is based upon social justice”

Tripartism:Tripartism:Fundamental Principle of the Fundamental Principle of the

ILOILO

““TripartismTripartism” is :” is :– The active interactions The active interactions

among the government, among the government, workers and employers as workers and employers as representative, equal and representative, equal and independent social partners.independent social partners.

To seek mutually agreeable solutions for To seek mutually agreeable solutions for issues of common concerns.issues of common concerns.

To seek mutually agreeable solutions for To seek mutually agreeable solutions for issues of common concerns.issues of common concerns.

Tripartism: How it works?Tripartism: How it works?

Active Active Interaction in Interaction in order to seek order to seek joint solutionsjoint solutions

Active Active Interaction in Interaction in order to seek order to seek joint solutionsjoint solutions

Partners must Partners must be willing to be willing to reach, and reach, and

respect, respect, agreementsagreements

Partners must Partners must be willing to be willing to reach, and reach, and

respect, respect, agreementsagreements

Partners must be committed, competent and

active

Partners must be committed, competent and

active

Major Components of the Major Components of the ILOILO

International Labour ConferenceInternational Labour ConferenceInternational Labour ConferenceInternational Labour Conference

Governing BodyGoverning BodyGoverning BodyGoverning Body

International Labour OfficeInternational Labour OfficeInternational Labour OfficeInternational Labour Office

International Labour International Labour ConferenceConference

Main Tasks:Main Tasks:1.1. Discuss (in Committees) and adopt (in Plenary) Discuss (in Committees) and adopt (in Plenary)

international labour standards, and supervise their international labour standards, and supervise their applicationapplication;

2. Elect Governing Body3. Admit new member(s);4. Discuss and/or follow up on issues of major concern

- Meet every yearevery year in Geneva in JuneJune;- Each member State is represented by two Government delegates, one Employer delegate & one Worker delegate, plus advisers.

Governing Body of ILOGoverning Body of ILO

The executive body of the ILOThe executive body of the ILO• Meets three times a year (in March, June and Meets three times a year (in March, June and

November);November);• Takes decisions on ILO policy, decides the agenda Takes decisions on ILO policy, decides the agenda

of the ILC and elects the Director-General.of the ILC and elects the Director-General.CompositionComposition

• 56 titular (28 G, 14 E and 14 W) and 66 deputy (28 G, 19 E 56 titular (28 G, 14 E and 14 W) and 66 deputy (28 G, 19 E and 19 W);and 19 W);

• Ten of the titular government seats are permanently held Ten of the titular government seats are permanently held by by States of chief industrial importanceStates of chief industrial importance

• The Employer and Worker members are elected in their The Employer and Worker members are elected in their individual capacity; andindividual capacity; and

• GB Election is held every three years GB Election is held every three years

International Labour OfficeInternational Labour Office

•The permanent secretariat of the ILO, located in Geneva, with Regional, Sub-Regional & Area Offices located in different parts of the world + ITC-Turin.

•Focal point for the overall activities, under the supervision of the Governing Body and under the leadership of a Director-General.

•The permanent secretariat of the ILO, located in Geneva, with Regional, Sub-Regional & Area Offices located in different parts of the world + ITC-Turin.

•Focal point for the overall activities, under the supervision of the Governing Body and under the leadership of a Director-General.

Some 1,900 officials of over 110 nationalities at the Some 1,900 officials of over 110 nationalities at the headquarters and in 40 field offices around the headquarters and in 40 field offices around the world.world.

ACTRAV – has about 40 people workingACTRAV – has about 40 people working

Major Functions of ILOMajor Functions of ILO

Standard Setting - Adoption of Standard Setting - Adoption of Conventions & Recommendations in Conventions & Recommendations in the ILC; the ILC;

Applications of ILS at national level Applications of ILS at national level after ratification by the countries;after ratification by the countries;

Technical Cooperation – Advisory Technical Cooperation – Advisory functions, Action Programs/Projects, functions, Action Programs/Projects, Training of Social Partners;Training of Social Partners;

Advocacy for promotion of Decent Advocacy for promotion of Decent Work Work

Freedom of Association

ILS : Core Labour StandardsILS : Core Labour Standards

Standards concerning fundamental human/social rightsStandards concerning fundamental human/social rights

Freedom of Association,

1948

Right to Collective

Bargaining, 1949

C. 87 C. 98

Freedom from Forced Labour

Forced Labour, 1930

Abolition of Forced Labour,

1957

C. 29 C. 105

Minimum Age for Employment

Minimum Age, 1973

Elimination of Worst Forms of Child Labour,

1999

C. 138 C. 182

Freedom from Discrimination

Equal Remuneration,

1951

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation), 1958

C. 100 C. 111

Role of Role of Bureau for Workers' Bureau for Workers' ActivitiesActivities ( (ACTRAV)ACTRAV)

What does ACTRAV do?What does ACTRAV do?

Main link between ILO and the Trade Main link between ILO and the Trade Unions; Unions;

Develops activities to strengthen TUs and Develops activities to strengthen TUs and Workers Rights at the international, Workers Rights at the international, regional and national levels;regional and national levels;

Disseminates policies and programmes of Disseminates policies and programmes of the ILO to trade unions;the ILO to trade unions;

Reflects interests of trade unions in the Reflects interests of trade unions in the programmes and actions of the ILO;programmes and actions of the ILO;

Supports workers’ Group in ILO’s decision Supports workers’ Group in ILO’s decision making bodies and other activities;making bodies and other activities;

Promotes Decent Work and the ratification Promotes Decent Work and the ratification and implementation of ILO Conventions and implementation of ILO Conventions

StructureStructure of ACTRAV of ACTRAV

Bureau for Workers’ Bureau for Workers’ ActivitiesActivities

(ILO/ACTRAV-Geneva)(ILO/ACTRAV-Geneva)

Asia/Pacific DeskAsia/Pacific Desk

ILO/ACTRAV-TurinILO/ACTRAV-Turin((International Training International Training

Center of the ILO)Center of the ILO)

Asia/PacificAsia/Pacific

Field SpecialistsField Specialists(RO, SRO and AO)(RO, SRO and AO)

Bangkok, New Delhi, Bangkok, New Delhi, ManilaManila

•Overall policy/strategy making•Liaison with other units•Support for Workers’ Group•Reflection of workers’ interests

•Implementation of training programmes

•Direct contact with unions•Implementation of ACTRAV policies and strategies in each country•Dissemination of information

Issues for DiscussionIssues for Discussion

Current Current Issues Before Issues Before ACTRAV-ILOACTRAV-ILO

Major Difficulty in protecting the rights and economic well-being of its

members”

Free Trade

Revolution inIT & Transport

Privatization

Free CapitalFlow

GlobalCompetition

FlexibleLabour Policy

Globalization

Multi-NationalEnterprises

Attack onunionism

WeakeningOrganizing & Bargaining

Power of Unions

Way ForwardWay Forward 　　Trade unions must strengthen

their organizing and bargaining power.

HOW?

Challenge 1:

Creating an“Enabling Environment”

for Trade UnionActivities

Challenge 2:

Building Capacity ofUnions in Organizing

and CollectiveBargaining

Thank you for your attention!Thank you for your attention!

Programme for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV)ITC-ILO