To Promote and Realize Standards and Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work

Under this strategic objective, ILO/SRO-Harare has three operational objectives, namely:

• To ensure that ILO member States give effect to the principles concerning the fundamental rights concerning Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining; the Elimination of all forms of Forced or Compulsory Labour; the Effectice Abolition of Child Labour; and the Elimination of Discrimination in Employment and Occupation;
• To progressively eliminate Child Labour, with priority being given to the urgent elimination of its worst forms and to the provision of alternatives for children and families; and
• To provide services to the tripartite constituents, the Governing Body, and the International Labour Conference, to enable existing standards to be supervised and new standards to be set.

Through these operational objectives, SRO-Harare is creating public awareness and encouraging the ratification and effective implementation of International Labour Standards, the core Conventions in particular.

Standard-setting is the oldest and most basic function of the ILO. Conventions and Recommendations are internationally recognized guidelines on labour and social issues. By ratifying a Convention, a member State formally undertake to abide by the requirements of that Convention, thereby indicating its willingness to accept some measure of international supervision by the ILO supervisory bodies. A Recommendation, on the other hand, does not require ratification, for it serves as a technical guideline in the formulation of policy, legislation, and practice.

Why Ratify a Convention?

Through its adoption of an ILO Convention, the international community shows its concern with a particular issue in the World of Work, and indicates a course of action and conveys the message that it wishes to monitor progress in implementing it, and assist in the overcoming of any obstacles. Ratification reflects the will to participate in this dialogue and to be assisted where necessary.

• Ratification of ILO Conventions is necessary to consolidate progress towards social justice at national level.
• Ratification by one country encourages other countries to also bring their laws and practices in line with minimum international standards. The failure of any nation to adopt humane conditions of labour is an obstacle for other nations that desire to improve conditions in their own countries.

SRO-Harare is also promoting the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Follow-up,which was adopted by the International Labour Conference in June 1998. This Declaration is a renewed commitment of ILO member States to respect, promote, and realize principles concerning basic human rights at work enshrined in the eight core ILO Conventions even if they have not ratified the Conventions in question.

By virtue of the Declaration and its Follow-Up, any member State that has yet to ratify all the fundamental Conventions must report, annually, on any changes that have taken place in its law and practice, thus taking due account of article 23 of the Constitution (communication of member States reports to social partners).

Governments are assisted in the revision of their labour legislation and are urged to improve enforcement mechanisms. The SRO also provides training on standards supervisory systems related to both ratified and unratified Conventions, with special emphasis on practical activities that help countries fulfil their obligations. These training activities are complemented by advisory services, seminars, analytical work and information dissemination.