Relations with Parliamentarians
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PARDEV

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Relations with Parliamentarians

As the legislative branch of governments, parliaments are important partners for the ILO. Their activities intersect with the ILO at different levels. Depending on their constitutional mandates, they ratify international treaties (which include international labour Conventions), and they adopt and give effect to legislation on matters related to employment, social protection, and rights at work. They oversee budgetary, economic and development policies.
The ILO interacts with parliamentarians principally through their international associations. The Inter-Parliamentary Union is a direct partner. The two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 1999, granting each other observer status in their meetings and encouraging cooperation. For background, see the Governing Body paper.

The PARDEV Newsletter is a regular source of information aimed at providing parliamentarians, among others, regular information on ILO and programmes.

Key Partners

  1. Inter-Parliamentary Union

    The ILO and IPU have published a joint practical guide for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour, highlighting the key role parliamentarians can play. As lawmakers, they can encourage ratification of the Convention. They can also help to fashion policy, adopt the requisite national legislation, vote the necessary budgets, and oversee the day-to-day action of their government.
    The Director-General of the ILO has addressed the IPU Assembly on several occasions, most notably in conjunction with the Millennium Summit during the Conference of Presiding Officers of National Parliaments (New York, 2000), and in 2009 during the Parliamentary Conference on the Global Economic Crisis, held in Geneva.

  2. Pan-African Parliament

    In Africa the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) is a regular interlocutor. Its President, the Hon. Dr Moussa Idriss Ndélé, took part in the First African Decent Work Symposium in November 2009. The PAP Assembly heard a presentation of the Decent work agenda by the ILO Regional Director in 2010. Its Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs has been kept regularly informed of new ILO instruments adopted during the International Labour Conference.

  3. Parlatino

    In Latin America, exchanges with Parlatino are frequent. The Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189) was presented to its Committee on Social Affairs.
    In Europe, there are many exchanges with the European Parliament. Mr Somavia addressed the Parliament in Strasbourg on 7 September 2011.

Useful Publications

  1. Publication

    Eliminating the worst forms of child labour: A practical guide to ILO Convention No. 182 - Handbook for parliamentarians No. 3, 2002

    This Handbook is intended to serve as a practical guide for parliamentarians in the fight against child labour. It is also a valuable resource for many others who wish to see sustainable development and human rights enjoyed by all: governments,workers’ and employers’ organizations, civil society organizations, and anyone wishing to become involved in the movement to end the exploitation of children.
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