Recent developments

Meetings

Most of the labour and social issues have been considered by the Sectoral Activities Branch (SECTOR) in its tripartite sectoral meetings relating to textiles, clothing and leather and footwear.

The last meeting of this type, which took place in October 2005, was the Tripartite Meeting on Promoting Fair Globalization in Textiles and Clothing in a Post-MFA Environment (Geneva, 24-26 October 2005).

• Meeting Information
  
• Report for discussion at the Meeting (pdf, 473k)
  
• Chairperson's Summary (pdf, 36k)
  
• Note on the Proceedings (pdf, 277k)
  

These ILO meetings (for example the meeting of 2000) provide a forum for tripartite constituents to discuss sectoral issues and to adopt, usually by consensus, conclusions and resolutions. The texts adopted constitute internationally recognized guidelines for employers' and workers' organizations, national governments and the ILO.

The Sectoral Activities Programme contributes to the implementation of the decent work agenda of the ILO through sectoral-oriented products (e.g. training materials, guidelines) and programmes. These products and programmes relate to the four strategic objectives of the ILO and include activities such as the promotion of social dialogue and human rights at work, strengthening of social protection and social security and promotion of decent and productive employment.

The ILO's overriding goal is to promote opportunities for all women and men to obtain decent and productive work, in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity, The Sectoral Activities Programme provides a sectoral dimension to this goal.

For details on recent ILO support in the sector to various countries, see the SECTOR Note, "ILO support to national activities in the Textiles and Clothing Sector".