NEW-DELHI-A solidarity campaign continues for the ratification and application of ILO Conventions 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, and 98 on Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining established by 11 national trade union confederations in India.

“The strength of the ratification campaign has been based on a united and solidarity action of all the 11 central trade union organizations in India putting political pressure where necessary”, explained Mr. H. Mahadevan, Working President of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) in the inaugural session of the “Asia Pacific Regional Symposium on the follow up to the Campaign for Ratification and Application of ILO Conventions 87 and 98” held in New-Delhi from 11 to 13 September 2013.

During this symposium, the representatives of the central trade union organizations, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU); emphasized the importance of ratification and application of 87 and 98. They shared their experiences of the joint effort by the central trade unions in India in pressurising the Government of India for the ratification and the application of C. 87 and C. 98 at the earliest opportunity.

freedom of association and collective bargaining are fundamental."Tine Staermose, Director ILO Country Office for India

The ILO welcomed this solidarity campaign in India and recalled the role of workers for the ratification and implementation of ILO standards. According to Ms. Tine Staermose, Director, ILO- DWT for South Asia and Country Office for India; “freedom of association and collective bargaining are fundamental, basic minimum rights for all workers and trade unions have a big role to play in the ratification and application of ILO conventions”.

A process for the ratification and application of ILO Conventions had started, reported Ms. Anuja Bapat, Director, Ministry of Indian Labour and Employment. She assured the unions that the Government of India was in the process of exploring ways to ratify the conventions and as a result the respect for the fundamental principles and the ratification of core labour standards was now included as one of the priority areas of the current Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2013 to 2017 for India.

From India to others countries

The symposium organised by the Bureau for Workers Activities (ILO-ACTRAV), new activities were planned by Unions on the ratification and application of ILO Conventions 87 and 98 in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam.

“Ratification of the core conventions in the present context is absolutely important as workers conditions are worsening by the day”, said Raghwan, ILO ACTRAV Desk Officer for Asia and Pacific region. “In many countries in the region, workers are exploited and there is an urgent need to address workers’ rights”, he added.

Global Unions Federations (GUFs) agreed to participate in order to support unions at national levels for the ratification and application of ILO Conventions.

For additional information please contact:

Mr. Ariel Castro
Senior specialist on Workers” Activities,
International Labour Office, Decent Work Team for South Asia
Email
Tel: +91 11 24602102