GENEVA (ILO News) - The ILO Director-General, Juan Somavia, issued a statement today formally indicating his intention to lead the ILO delegation to the WTO Ministerial Conference in Seattle.
The full text of the statement follows:
"As on previous occasions, the ILO has an invitation to attend the forthcoming WTO Ministerial Conference in Seattle. I have decided to accept this invitation and to personally lead the ILO delegation."
"The ILO has a compelling institutional interest in being present at Seattle. The process under way in the WTO and the very wide public debate on it, makes it clear that issues of direct and pressing concern to the ILO will be discussed at the Conference."
"It is useful to recall that Ministers at the Singapore Conference of the WTO in December 1996, while renewing their "commitment to the observance of internationally recognized core labour standards", recognized that "the ILO is the competent body to set and deal with these standards", and reaffirmed their support for its work in promoting them. The Ministers also noted that the "WTO and ILO Secretariats will continue their existing collaboration"."
"It is not for the ILO to intervene in the WTO's decision-making processes, or to comment on any of the proposals before it. Indeed, my presence in Seattle is unrelated to any question of addressing the Ministerial Conference. Equally, it is for the tripartite Governing Body of the ILO - consisting of Workers and Employers as well as Governments - to consider any implications for the Organization arising from the outcome of the Conference."
"It is my intention to make known from Seattle the new orientation and thrust of the ILO, and the recent steps taken to strengthen its capacity to fulfill its mandate of seeking social justice with economic growth. The ILO has adopted a landmark Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, which constitutes a historic commitment by all countries to respect human rights at work. This year, the International Labour Conference unanimously adopted a comprehensive Convention on the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour. Again this year, the ILO's tripartite constituents united behind an agenda to achieve decent work for all in the global economy. In the last few months, the ILO has reorganized its entire programme in pursuit of that goal."
"It is also my intention to address the social dimensions of globalization. We must understand that the benefits of the global economy are not reaching enough people. The backlash is brewing and growing, and will be heard in Seattle. At the ILO, we believe new directions are necessary to make markets work for everybody. The WTO Conference is an opportunity to make trade relevant to the needs of developing countries and working families."