Geneva, 8 - 12 May 2000
The Tripartite Meeting on the Social and Labour Impact of Globalization in the Manufacture of Transport Equipment,
Having met in Geneva from 8 to 12 May 2000,
Recognizing that the transport equipment sector is itself one of the most globalized industries as well as being one of the key means by which globalization proceeds,
Considering that transport equipment manufacturing accounts for a significant share of total manufacturing production and trade in a number of countries, including emerging and transitional economies, providing employment and income to millions of workers around the world, and that it is viewed by many countries as a vehicle of economic development while it plays a central role in virtually all major developed industrial economies,
Noting that transport equipment manufacturing through its own value added as well as through its massive purchases of goods and services is a major factor in world output and trade, as well as being the focus of intense competition,
Recognizing that institutions of global governance such as the WTO, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund promote economic globalization and directly influence the economic programmes of developing countries,
Noting that the policies of these institutions of global governance have an impact on workers in transport equipment manufacturing via the policies of their national governments and the investment projects of transnational corporations,
Emphasizing that social dialogue, such as that institutionalized at the ILO, is not only desirable per se, but is also an essential factor in sound economic decision-making at the national and enterprise levels,
Stressing the importance of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Follow-up adopted by the ILO General Conference in June 1998 and the need to promote its implementation by all appropriate means, including the promotion of the ratification of the Conventions enshrined therein,
Noting that the implementation of the Declaration will promote social dialogue,
Emphasizing the fact that transport equipment manufacturing industries, in particular the automotive sector, are important promoters of innovations in technology and production processes and, at the same time, are largely affected by subsequent structural change, making it necessary to protect workers against the potential adverse effects,
Recognising that transport equipment manufacturing continues to undergo massive restructuring, including an expansion and reorganization of global production networks, and a recent wave of corporate mergers, acquisitions and alliances, especially in the motor vehicle industry,
Believing that the outsourcing of work and the growing importance of part suppliers should lead to the maintenance of employment conditions and product quality,
Noting that appropriate policies will require accurate information on the transport equipment sector,
Recognizing that the ILO secretariat's report on transport equipment manufacturing includes a great deal of valuable data on employment, output, trade, working hours and a number of other essential economic and social indicators, and that this is extremely valuable information for employers, trade unions and governments,
Taking into account that as a result of the restructuring trends described above, the picture presented by the ILO's report is bound to change considerably as the process of globalization and economic development advances,
Being aware that the kind of sectoral data presented by the ILO's report comes from a number of sources and is currently not retrievable from a single up-to-date database in spite of its great value;
Adopts this twelfth day of May 2000 the following resolution*:
The Tripartite Meeting on the Social and Labour Impact of Globalization in the Manufacture of Transport Equipment calls on the Governing Body of the International Labour Office to:
1. Request the Director-General of the ILO to set up a database of social and economic statistics on the transport equipment manufacturing industry, which will draw upon data available from national and international statistical agencies as well as data gathered by the ILO's own instruments, and to make this data available in print as well as electronic form.
2. Consider the following subjects to be included in the agenda of the next session of the transport equipment manufacturing sector:
(a) the evolving composition of the workforce, changing employment relationships and skill requirements in the motor vehicle manufacturing industry;
(b) the importance of export processing zones and the informal sector in the TEM industry and its impact on labour;
(c) the observance and promotion of the fundamental principles and rights at work enshrined in the ILO Declaration in the TEM industries.
3. Request the Director-General to increase contacts with international agencies and international financial institutions for the purpose of promoting the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Follow-up.