Cooperation agreement between the Latin-American Parliament (PARLATINO) and
the International Labour Organization (ILO)

Whereas the aim of the Latin American Parliament (hereinafter referred to as "PARLATINO") is to act as a political forum at the highest level and as an effective promoter of development and integration; whereas its fundamental goals are the defence of democracy, Latin American integration, the judicial equality of States, the peaceful solution of international disputes and the prevalence of the principles of international law; whereas it places special emphasis on promoting the overall economic and social development of the Latin American community, respect for fundamental human rights, the elimination of all forms of discrimination, the fight for international cooperation, the strengthening of the national and subregional parliaments of Latin America and the dissemination of legislative activity;

Whereas the aim of the International Labour Organization (hereinafter referred to as the "ILO") is to achieve social justice through the improvement of conditions of labour, the creation of greater opportunities to secure decent employment and income; the enhancement of the coverage and effectiveness of social protection; the promotion of tripartism and social dialogue; and the promotion of international labour standards and fundamental principles and rights at work, such as freedom of association and collective bargaining, the abolition of forced labour and child labour, and the elimination of discrimination in employment, in order to enable men and women to have decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity; whereas, to this end, the ILO is seeking to promote coherent and coordinated policies and programmes worldwide, including in the Americas;

Whereas the common objectives of the ILO and PARLATINO are the pursuit of peace and democracy by promoting international cooperation in their respective areas of competence in order to further universal respect for justice, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and whereas these common goals and objectives can be effectively advanced through cooperation and joint action;

Now therefore, the ILO and PARLATINO, being desirous of cooperating with each other within the framework of their respective constitutional mandates, have agreed as follows:

Article I

General

1.1. PARLATINO recognizes the responsibilities and fields of action of the ILO under its Constitution and undertakes to give active support to the ILO's activities, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the ILO Constitution and with the policies established by their respective governing bodies.

1.2. The ILO recognizes that PARLATINO, as a regional organization of national parliaments, by virtue of its character and responsibilities plays an important role in promoting peace and regional cooperation, in furtherance of and in conformity with the purposes for which the ILO was established.

1.3. The ILO and PARLATINO agree that the close cooperative links between them will facilitate the effective exercise of their mutually complementary activities and therefore undertake to further those relations through the adoption of the practical measures set forth in the following provisions of this Agreement.

Article II

Consultations and exchange of information

2.1. PARLATINO and the ILO shall hold consultations on a regular basis in order to exchange views on matters of common concern. The frequency and form of such consultations shall be agreed between the parties.

2.2. Each organization shall keep the other appropriately informed and shall exchange knowledge and experience relating to policies, strategies, plans, programmes, projects and activities in all areas and at all levels, which are related to the above-mentioned objectives of development and integration.

2.3 The parties shall regularly undertake the necessary consultations to facilitate the adoption in their respective member States of joint measures to stimulate and contribute to initiatives on issues of mutual interest.

Article III

Mutual representation

3.1. PARLATINO shall be invited to participate as an observer in sessions of the International Labour Conference. PARLATINO may also be invited to participate in other meetings organized by the ILO in which PARLATINO has expressed an interest.

3.2 The ILO shall be invited to participate as an observer at meetings of PARLATINO. The ILO may also be invited to participate in other meetings organized by PARLATINO in which the ILO has expressed an interest.

Article IV

Areas of cooperation

4.1. In order to ensure effective cooperation and liaison between the two organizations, each organization shall designate a senior official to follow the progress of cooperation and to act as a point of contact.

4.2 The ILO and PARLATINO shall together explore areas of possible cooperation and shall offer appropriate assistance to each other in support of future joint action, particularly with regard to:

(a) the promotion of ratification of instruments adopted by the International Labour Conference and their implementation through appropriate national legislation and regulations;

(b) the promotion and implementation of fundamental principles and rights at work, set out in the ILO Constitution and in the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, as factors essential to democracy and development;

(c) the pursuit of the common objectives of promoting and consolidating representative democracy in the region; the protection of human rights; and, in general, assistance with respect to the economic, social, educational, legislative and cultural development of Latin American countries, as well as in all matters related to the activities of both institutions in which there is a common interest.

4.3 These joint activities may include, but are not limited to, the holding of joint special meetings or conferences at appropriate intervals on subjects within the competence of the ILO and of particular relevance and interest to parliaments and parliamentarians, including follow-up action and implementation of relevant ILO activities.

4.4 Either party may ask the other for its assistance in the technical study of matters that are within their respective fields of competence. Any such request shall be examined by the other organization, which, within the framework of its policies, programmes and rules, shall make every effort to give appropriate assistance in such a manner and along such lines as agreed upon above by the two organizations.

4.5 Each organization shall follow its own procedures in authorizing and financing the conduct of joint activities.

Article V

Entry into force, amendments and duration

5.1 This Agreement, having previously been approved by both the Governing Body of the ILO and the Latin American Parliament, shall enter into force on the date of its signature by the duly authorized representatives of the parties.

5.2. This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent in accordance with the respective rules and regulations of the parties. Such arrangements shall enter into force one month following notification of consent by both parties.

5.3. Either organization may terminate this Agreement by giving six months' notice in writing to the other organization.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, being duly authorized representatives of the ILO and PARLATINO, have signed the present Agreement.

SIGNED in Lima, Peru, on this ninth day of October 2003, in two originals each in English and Spanish languages, both of which are the original and authentic texts.

For the International Labour Organization
Doctor Agustín Muñoz (signed)
Regional Director for the Americas

For the Latin American Parliament:
Congressman Ney Lopes (signed)
President

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Published in: Official Bulletin of the ILO, Vol. LXXXVI, 2003, Series A, No. 3