At its 89th Session in June 2001 the International Labour Conference held, as one of the main items on its agenda, a general discussion on social security. The Committee on Social Security attracted a high level of interest among delegates, with as
many as 111 Government members, 59 Employer members and 79 Worker members,
1 and also numerous advisers and observers. No doubt this reflected the fact that the Committee had before it a number of highly controversial and potentially divisive issues. As in other Committees, special efforts were made to prepare the discussions
carefully through wide consultation prior to the Conference. This paid off
handsomely, as there was close cooperation, both in the Committee and in the group responsible for preparing the draft conclusions, between the social partners and key governmental spokespersons. As a result, the Committee was able to reach rapid
agreement on a set of conclusions which reflects a consensus on many of the key
issues and priorities.
