High-level event on Social Dialogue on Decent Work for a Fair Globalization, ILO 90th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony

This will be the main event for the celebrations and will include the delivery of speeches, awarding of tokens of appreciation and National Decent Work Awards and the announcement of the ratification of several ILO conventions. The event will be organized by the Ministry of Labour Relations and Manpower (MLR&MP) with technical inputs from the ILO. The keynote address will be given by the President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapakse, who will be the chief guest of the event.

The guests of honor will include Ms. Sachiko Yamamoto, Regional Director (Asia and the Pacific), ILO, Ministers including the Minister of Labour Relations and Manpower, relevant government and non-government officials and representatives from the tripartite constituents.

With due consideration to the National Plan of Action for Decent Work (NPADW) and the theme of the celebration "Social Dialogue on Decent Work for a Fair Globalization", tokens of appreciation for the commitment to the world of work will be presented at the event to recognize and commend individuals who have strived to promote the ideals of decent work at the workplace. Recipients will be the President, Minister of Labour Relations and Manpower and the Secretary of the Ministry of Labour Relations and Manpower.

The MLR&MP will be awarding “National Decent Work Awards” to three applicants each from the employers and the workers, selected through an open application process. An award selection committee comprising of the ILO constituents will be providing selection criteria for award recipients.

This event will also be used to announce the ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention (C186), Seafarers Identity Documents Convention (C185)) and the Occupational Safety and Health Convention (C155). In concurrence with the main event, district level events to mark the 90th anniversary celebrations will be held in each of the districts.

The MLR&MP will organize the events and they will include speeches and receptions.

Press coverage

• Daily News

  • ILO must be against all forms of terror - President
  • SL far ahead in the field of labour standards

• The Island

  • Strengthen policies towards steady improvement of the employment

• Daily Mirror

  • Agreement for 'National Framework for Social Dialogue; signed in the presence of ILO

• Asian Tribune

  • ILO DG says 'poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere'

Further information

• Photos from the event - (pdf 1.8MB)
• ILO 90 Years of Social Justice Booklet - (pdf 2MB)
• Pronouncement of Commitment, Ratification of ILO Conventions - (pdf 34kB)
• Programme - (pdf 289kB)
• National Decent Work Awards - (pdf 39kB)