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ILO Conventions: background and preparatory work


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ILO and today′s global challenges (Part 1: 1989-1998)
1998

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  1. Key documents

ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work

The World Summit for Social Development convened in Copenhagen, in March 1995, in response to concern in the international community about the process of globalization and trade liberalization. The heads of State and government who attended adopted commitments and a plan of action relating to “basic workers′ rights”. In June 1998, the 86th Session of the International Labour Conference adopted the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. The Declaration, which asked the States party to the corresponding ILO conventions to give full effect to them and all others to take account of the principles set out therein, made a decisive contribution to the objectives defined at the Copenhagen Summit. It reasserted the commitment of ILO′s Member States to respect, promote and universally fulfil the principles relating to four fundamental rights at work:

  • freedom of association and effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
  • elimination of all forms of forced or obligatory labour;
  • effective abolition of child labour;
  • elimination of discrimination in employment and occupation.
“By adopting this Declaration, the ILO has taken up the challenge presented to it by the international community. It has established a social minimum at the global level to respond to the realities of globalization and can now look ahead to the new century with renewed optimism.” (Presentation of the Declaration by ILO Director-General Michel Hansenne). The InFocus Programme on Promoting the Declaration, launched in 1999, generated a new category of technical cooperation projects conceived and funded by ILO.
  1. 1989-1998:
    ILO and today's global challenges (Part 1: 1989-1998)
    1. 1989
    2. 1992
    3. 1993
    4. 1998
  2. 1919-1939
  3. 1940-1945
  4. 1946-1959
  5. 1960-1988
  6. 1999-


ILO Century Project


ILO Century Project Timeline

The ILO and the Quest for Social Justice

Video: The ILO and the Quest for Social Justice

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Last update: 23.02.2015 ^ top