The 91st Session of the International Labour Conference opened today
GENEVA (ILO News) – The 91st 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.
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.