In Central and Eastern Europe, ratifying and applying international labour standards has helped countries aiming at joining the European Union to align their law and practice to European legal and institutional frameworks.

The average number of ratifications by Central and Eastern European countries is around 60, while all countries in the region have ratified the eight fundamental conventions covering subjects that are considered as fundamental principles and rights at work, i.e. freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour; the effective abolition of child labour; and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

ILO assistance

In order to assist the governments and the social partners to understand and comply with their obligations arising from international labour standards and the ILO’s Constitution, the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team and Country Office for Central and Eastern Europe provides comprehensive technical assistance through Decent Work Country Programmes agreed with the national tripartite constituents. ILO technical assistance consists of advisory services on how best to fill in implementation gaps identified by the ILO’s supervisory bodies, training, awareness raising and promotional activities with a view to ratification and full compliance with international labour standards. Governments, workers’ and employers’ representatives, as well as national judges and members of parliament are targeted in these activities.