GENEVA (ILO News) - The 91 Session of the International Labour Conference opened today, electing as its president, the Hon. Michael Christopher Wamalwa, Vice-President and Labour Minister of Kenya.
The President of the Conference congratulated the Director-General of the International Labour Office (ILO), Juan Somavia, on his re-election for a second five-year term and his "commitment to a globalization that leaves no one behind".
The Conference elected as Vice-Presidents Mr. Bryan Noakes (Employers), Mr. Tomasz Wojcik (Workers), and Mr. Muzahem Al Muhaisin (Governments). Mr. Al Muhaisin is the Minister of Labour of Jordan, Mr. Noakes is the employers' delegate from Australia, and Mr. Wojcik. is the workers' delegate from Poland.
Delegates to the International Labour Conference are to consider a wide range of issues, including a new plan for fighting poverty worldwide, new forms of work and measures for improving job security, ending forced labour and fighting discrimination in the workplace.
The annual Conference will meet until 19 June and is expected to draw some 3,000 delegates, including labour ministers and leaders of workers' and employers' organizations from most of the ILO's 176 member States. Each member country has the right to send four delegates to the Conference: two from government and one each representing workers and employers, each of whom may speak and vote independently.
The role of the International Labour Conference is to adopt and oversee compliance with international labour standards, establish the budget of the Organization and elect members of the Governing Body. Since 1919, the Conference has served as a major international forum for debate on social and labour questions of worldwide importance.
Print
Email
