ILO LIAISON OFFICE – BRUSSELS
NEWSLETTER NO. 10/2003
Conclusions of the ILO Governing Body
On 21 November, the ILO Governing Body concluded its discussions on issues ranging from the social dimension of
globalisation, a new Code of Practice on workplace violence in service sectors, and workers' rights in Belarus
(see below), the United States, Cuba and other countries.
In response to the growing challenge of violence at work, which jeopardises productivity and decent work,
the Governing Body adopted a new "Code of Practice on workplace violence in service sectors" (
click here)
This Code of Practice sets out ways to develop practical responses to violence at work, promote dialogue,
consultation and negotiation between governments, employers and workers, and to draw up national legislation,
policies and action programmes.
A report by the ILO's Committee on Freedom of Association presented at the meeting of the Governing Body (
click here) highlights the
severe violations of workers' rights in several countries such as Cuba and Zimbabwe, and the situation of forced
labour in Myanmar (Burma), where no progress has been made. In the report, the Committee also expresses its
concern about respect for the rights of illegal workers in the United States, the violation of collective agreements
by the Swedish government (in the context of retirement age) and the Danish government's attempts to seek restrictions
in collective bargaining involving part-time workers.
For more details on the most recent meeting of the Governing Body,
click here for an ILO press release.
ILO Commission of Inquiry on Belarus
The Governing Body has decided to set up a Commission of Inquiry to look into violations of trade union rights
in Belarus. It has followed the recommendation of the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association, which (for the
seventh time) noted in its report that the freedom and independence of the trade union movement in Belarus
continue to be seriously restricted. Unions protest the arrest, imprisonment, harassment, sacking and threats
to which members of the independent union movement in Belarus are subjected, and also the takeover of the
national trade union federation by allies of President Lukashenko. Shortly before the Governing Body's meeting,
the government in Belarus decided to suspend all ILO projects in the country and warned union members involved in
such projects that the latter were now illegal.
Setting up a Commission of Inquiry is one of the most powerful steps the ILO's executive bodies can take to remedy
violations of international labour standards, and is only used in the most serious cases. Members of the Workers'
Group of the ILO Governing Body announced that they would renew their efforts to encourage the European Union to
launch its own inquiry into the situation in Belarus. That could lead to trade privileges granted to Belarus under
the EU's Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) being withdrawn if workers' rights in the country continued to be
violated.
Agreement between the European Union and the ILO
A cooperation agreement has been concluded between the European Commission's Employment and Social Affairs
DG and the ILO to carry out two projects put forward by the ILO. One is a pilot project focusing on the textile
sector in Turkey. It aims to demonstrate that there is a link between productivity and the quality of production
on the one hand, and labour relations and social dialogue on the other. The second project deals with working and
employment conditions in the ten countries due to join the European Union in may 2004, and in three other candidate
countries (Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey). There are currently considerable differences between members and future
members, in particular in the context of working hours and conditions.
Creating decent jobs in Africa
The 10th ILO African Regional Meeting will be held in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) on 2-5 December 2003, bringing
together tripartite delegations from each of the 53 African countries belonging to the ILO. Delegates will consider
ways of combating poverty and creating jobs: half the population of Africa (over 300 million people) lives in extreme
poverty on the equivalent of one dollar or less per day. Crucial issues such as the role of social dialogue and
tripartism, decent work for young people, and the launch of a
global campaign on social
security in Africa (where 90% of the active population have no social security protection) will be among those
discussed at the meeting. A report prepared by the Director-General of the ILO for the meeting (
click here) points out that
African nations are involved in a new and dynamic development process based on collective efforts. The launch of
the African Union (AU) in 2002 and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) in 2001 form part of this
new approach.
Security, Safety and health in Ports
A Tripartite Meeting of Experts on Security, Safety and Health in Ports will be held on 8-17 December 2003 in Geneva.
The meeting will investigate and adopt a set of practical guidelines on this issue. These guidelines are not designed
to replace current national regulations or standards in force, but rather to offer guidance to individuals who may,
in the context of social dialogue, be called upon to draw up these kinds of provisions or develop national or
company-level health, safety and security programmes. The guidelines are aimed primarily at government and public
authorities, employers, workers and their organisations, as well as business leaders and leaders of the health and
safety committees of the companies concerned. The draft Code of Practice is available on the ILO website (
part A and
part B).
Juan Somavia to visit Brussels
ILO Director-General Juan Somavia is at the European Parliament in Brussels on 27 November 2003 to take part
in the Global Progressive Forum, a meeting organised by the Party of European Socialists (PES), its Parliamentary
Group in the European Parliament and the Socialist International. He will take the opportunity to put forward the
ILO's position on issues pertaining to the social dimension and fundamental workers' rights in the context of a
globalised economy.
Click here
for an agenda of the meeting.
New publications
The following recent ILO publications may be of special interest to our readers:
- Labour Markets in Transition: Balancing flexibility and security in Central and Eastern Europe
By Sandrine Cazes and Alena Nesporova, 2003, 240 pp.; ISBN 92-2-113723-6 (Price: €22.50)
This book examines how labour markets in countries in transition in Central and Eastern Europe, the Baltic
states and Russia have adapted to changes that have taken place since the break-up of the Soviet Union, and
to the challenges posed by EU accession. It puts forward policy recommendations for better management of labour
market developments from an economic and social standpoint, and can be ordered by
clicking here.
Did you know…?
The list of subscriptions for ILO periodicals for 2004 has just been published. All the publications contain
in depth analyses of labour and employment-related issues.
Click here for this list of very useful
tools for anyone with an interest in labour issues.
Schedule of meetings in 2003 and 2004
Click here for a list of planned ILO
meetings in 2003 and 2004.