Kiribati became a member of the ILO in 2000. The country has already ratified four of the ILO’s eight fundamental conventions, covering forced labour, freedom of association, the right to organize and collective bargaining.
With a population of 84,500, of whom 47,800 live in the countryside, Kiribati has a current labour force participation rate (formal and informal sectors) of more than 80 per cent (2005 fig.).
Lack of adequate social security is one of the greatest challenges facing the country. Recent social security project reports on ways to improve the efficiency and productivity of the social security system have received support from the government, employers and workers. It is hoped that raising awareness of social security issues and encouraging discussion on realistic steps forward will pave the way for improved access for more people.
Work on the Kiribati Decent Work Country Programme is underway. Currently, ILO activities in the country concentrate mostly on defining the role of the ILO constituents – the government, employers and workers - in social and economic development issues. Tripartism and tripartite institutions are relatively new concepts, hence the need for substantive support in promoting tripartite mechanisms for social dialogue.
Employers and workers in Kiribati are represented through the Kiribati Chamber of Commerce (KCC) and the Kiribati Trade Unions Council (KTUC).
ILO work in Kiribati is supported through the ILO’s Country Office for South Pacific Island Countries based in Suva, Fiji.
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