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

ACTRAVACTRAV

Objectives of this SessionObjectives of this Session

We willWe will discuss on:discuss on:

1.1. Brief history of the Labour MovementBrief history of the Labour Movement

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

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

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

5.5. Current Issues facing Actrav-ILOCurrent Issues facing Actrav-ILO

Origins of the Labour Origins of the Labour MovementMovement

UKUK (1770 – 1850) – shift from agriculture to industry - (1770 – 1850) – shift from agriculture to industry - Textiles, Coal & later Railways after 1847Textiles, Coal & 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 legalised Unions legalised by 1871 TU Act,by 1871 TU Act, in 1875-Employer & Workmen Act, in 1875-Employer & Workmen Act, Factory Act 1874Factory Act 1874

Origins of the Labour Origins of the Labour MovementMovement

In continental EuropeIn continental Europe- Socialist movement - Socialist movement gave rise to unions from 1880s onwards.gave rise to unions from 1880s 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 national struggle for independence linked to national struggle for independence later, later,

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

Origins of African Labour Origins of African Labour MovementMovement

Transformation from agriculturists to wage Transformation from agriculturists to wage labourers began in early 1900s – need of colonial labourers began in early 1900s – need of colonial powers to mine & export resources led to powers to mine & export resources led to development of mines, railroads, commercial development of mines, railroads, commercial farming & processing plants – emergence of wage farming & processing plants – emergence of wage labour also aided by the taxation system labour also aided by the taxation system (each (each household or village had to pay high cash taxes) –household or village had to pay high cash taxes) – forced forced & indentured labour – slave-like conditions of & indentured labour – slave-like conditions of workwork

1920s - Emergence1920s - Emergence of TUs in Tunisia, Zambia of TUs in Tunisia, Zambia (Northern Rhodesia) & South Africa – to demand (Northern Rhodesia) & South Africa – to demand for end of slave-like conditions & better wages – for end of slave-like conditions & better wages – TUs considered illegal & viciously crushedTUs considered illegal & viciously crushed

Origins of African Labour Origins of African Labour MovementMovement

WW II - a turning point – Greater demand for raw WW II - a turning point – Greater demand for raw materials, mining & production in Africa – impetus materials, mining & production in Africa – impetus to urbanization & working class – many Africans to urbanization & working class – many Africans fought in the war - stimulated also the struggles fought in the war - stimulated also the struggles against racism & colonialism – Ban on TUs lifted against racism & colonialism – Ban on TUs lifted in 1940s by Britain in 1940s by Britain

Post war: rise of communist - socialist Post war: rise of communist - socialist movements, return of African soldiers & support movements, return of African soldiers & support of British, French & other TUs strengthened of British, French & other TUs strengthened labour movement in Africa – 1946 strike of labour movement in Africa – 1946 strike of 75,000 mine workers in SA – inspired TU 75,000 mine workers in SA – inspired TU struggles all over – Tunisia, Zambia, Kenya, Sierra struggles all over – Tunisia, Zambia, Kenya, Sierra Leone & Guinea – for better wages & working Leone & Guinea – for better wages & working conditionsconditions

Origins of African Labour Origins of African Labour MovementMovement

Strike by Railway workers in French West Strike by Railway workers in French West Africa led to abolishment of forced labour by Africa led to abolishment of forced labour by France in 1946France in 1946

Workers movement soon went beyond wage Workers movement soon went beyond wage issues and economic & political struggles (for issues and economic & political struggles (for freedom) became linked - 1950 General Strike freedom) became linked - 1950 General Strike in Ghana ended with autonomy & promise of in Ghana ended with autonomy & promise of full independence by the British (which came full independence by the British (which came in 1957) – same thing happened in Sierra in 1957) – same thing happened in Sierra Leone, Gambia, etc – same role played by TUs Leone, Gambia, etc – same role played by TUs in SA to end Apartheid. in SA to end Apartheid.

Of course the struggle of African workers Of course the struggle of African workers continues… continues…

Women Workers & TUsWomen Workers & TUsWomen contributed to industrial Women contributed to industrial

revolution in many countries – textiles, revolution in many countries – textiles, coal mines, laundry,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 1874 : Women's Protective and Provident League formed in UK (later Provident League formed in UK (later called the Women's Trade Union called the Women's Trade Union League) League)

Why International Why International Movement?Movement?

Post WW 1 – emergence of Post WW 1 – emergence of International Labour Movement International Labour Movement

Solidarity & Unity - the source of Solidarity & Unity - the source of strength for workers – the ideals of strength for workers – the ideals of social justicesocial justice

Response to Globalization of CapitalResponse to Globalization of Capital

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

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

International TU International TU OrganizationsOrganizations

WCLWCLWorld Confederation of World Confederation of Labour, [1920 & 1968]Labour, [1920 & 1968]

WCLWCLWorld Confederation of World Confederation of Labour, [1920 & 1968]Labour, [1920 & 1968]

WFTUWFTUWorld Federation of Trade World Federation of Trade

Unions, [1945]Unions, [1945]

WFTUWFTUWorld Federation of Trade World Federation of Trade

Unions, [1945]Unions, [1945]

GUFsGUFsGlobal Union Global Union FederationsFederations

GUFsGUFsGlobal Union Global Union FederationsFederations

ICFTUICFTUInternational Confederation International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (1949)of Free Trade Unions (1949)

ICFTUICFTUInternational Confederation International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (1949)of Free Trade Unions (1949)

PSIPSIPSIPSI

EIEIEIEI UNIUNIUNIUNIIFJIFJIFJIFJ

ITFITFITFITFICEMICEMICEMICEM

IUFIUFIUFIUF

IFBWWIFBWWIFBWWIFBWWITGLWFITGLWFITGLWFITGLWF

IMFIMFIMFIMF

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

OECD-OECD-TUACTUAC

OECD-OECD-TUACTUAC

ICFTU & WCL merged in Nov 2006

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

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

Pre-condition: Respect for Freedom of Association & Pre-condition: Respect for Freedom of Association & Right to Collective Bargaining Right to Collective Bargaining

4 delegates per Member State

International Labour Conference

Governing Body

International Labour Office

1 Workers’ Delegate

1 Employers’ Delegate

2 Governments’ Delegates

14 Workers’ Representatives

14 Employers’ Representatives

28 Governments’ Representatives

ILO STRUCTUREILO STRUCTUREILO STRUCTUREILO STRUCTURE

International Labour International Labour ConferenceConference

Meets every year in Geneva in June – It is an Meets every year in Geneva in June – It is an international forum for debate on social and international forum for debate on social and labour questions of worldwide importance;labour questions of worldwide importance;

Besides 4 delegates, a country can also Besides 4 delegates, a country can also bring in advisors;bring in advisors;

Main Tasks:Main Tasks: Adopt and oversee compliance with Adopt and oversee compliance with

international labour standards, international labour standards, Set policy for the Organization,Set policy for the Organization, Establish the budget of the Organization,Establish the budget of the Organization, Elect members of the Governing Body,Elect members of the Governing Body, Discuss &/or follow up on issues of major Discuss &/or follow up on issues of major

concern.concern.

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 Meets three times a year (in March, June & November); takes decisions on ILO & November); takes decisions on ILO policy, decides the agenda of the ILC policy, decides the agenda of the ILC and elects the Director-General.and elects the Director-General.

CompositionComposition– 56 titular (28 G, 14 E and 14 W) & 56 titular (28 G, 14 E and 14 W) &

66 deputy (28 G, 19 E and 19 W); 66 deputy (28 G, 19 E and 19 W);– Ten titular government seats Ten titular government seats

permanently held by permanently held by States of chief States of chief industrial importanceindustrial importance

– The Employer & Worker members are The Employer & Worker members are elected in their individual capacity; elected in their individual capacity;

– GB Election is held every three yearsGB Election is held every three years

International Labour International Labour OfficeOffice

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 6 under the leadership of a Director-General.

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

ACTRAV – has about 40 people working

Major Functions of ILOMajor Functions of ILO Standard Setting - Adoption of Standard Setting - Adoption of

Conventions & Recommendations in the Conventions & Recommendations in the ILC; ILC;

Assistance in applications of ILS at Assistance in applications of ILS at national level after ratification by the national level after ratification by the countries;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 Work Advocacy for promotion of Decent Work

Areas of the Areas of the ILSILS

Basic human rightsBasic human rightsBasic human rightsBasic human rights

EmploymentEmploymentEmploymentEmployment

Conditions of workConditions of workConditions of workConditions of work

Social securitySocial securitySocial securitySocial security

Social policySocial policySocial policySocial policy

Labor administrationLabor administrationLabor administrationLabor administration

WomenWomenWomenWomen

Industrial relationsIndustrial relationsIndustrial relationsIndustrial relations

Children and young Children and young personspersonsChildren and young Children and young personspersons

Protection of special Protection of special groupsgroupsProtection of special Protection of special groupsgroups

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 & the Trade Unions; Main link between ILO & the Trade Unions; Develops activities to strengthen TUs & Develops activities to strengthen TUs &

Workers Rights at the international & Workers Rights at the international & national levels;national levels;

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

Reflects interests of TUs in the programmes Reflects interests of TUs in the programmes & actions of the ILO;& actions of the ILO;

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

Promotes Decent Work and the ratification & Promotes Decent Work and the ratification & implementation of ILO Conventions 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, ManilaBangkok, New Delhi, Manila

•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

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