The Governments of the Benelux countries.
The Brussels Liaison Office represents the ILO in the BENELUX countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg).
Belgium
Belgium has two main linguistic communities, the French speaking Wallonia and the Dutch speaking Flanders as well as a small German speaking
minority. As the capital of the country, Brussels is a bilingual region. After the elections of June 2007 an interim government was sworn in
the 21st of December of the same year and the 20th of March a new federal government was then installed with the nomination of Mr. Yves LETERME
(Flemish Christian-democrats, CD&V) as Prime Minister. Ms. Joëlle MILQUET (Centre Démocrate Humaniste, cdH) is assigned as Vice-Prime Minister
and Minister of Employment and Equal Opportunities. The Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health is Ms. Laurette ONKELINX (Socialist Party, PS).
Mr. Charles MICHEL (liberal party MR) holds the post of Minister of Development Cooperation.
Belgium is a founding member State of the ILO. Belgium, Wallonia and Flanders are important partners for development cooperation, eg. for the ILO
Step programme (strategies and tools against social exclusion and poverty) -
Prodiaf (Project for social dialogue in French speaking Africa).
ILO Conventions ratified by Belgium.
For general information about Belgium and the Belgian government,
click here.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands are one of the founding member States of the ILO. They have an extensive partnership programme with the
tripartite organization, which has a strong focus on international action for the prevention of Child Labour. Other areas
of particular interest are the promotion of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, boosting
employment through small enterprises, as well as gender equality. On 7 February 2007 a new government was sworn in,
following an agreement reached between three political parties: The Christian-Democratic Alliance (CDA), the Labor
Party (PvdA) and the Christian Union (CU). Mr. J. P. BALKENENDE (CDA) has been confirmed, for a fourth mandate, as
Prime Minister, Mr. P. H. DONNER (CDA) occupies the position of Minister of Social Affairs and Employment and
Mr. B. KOENDERS has taken the post of Minister of Development Cooperation. Mr. A. ABOUTALEB is State Secretary for Social
Affairs and Employment. The Netherlands are at present deputy member of the Governing Body.
ILO Conventions ratified by the Netherlands
For general information about the Netherlands and the Dutch government,
click here.
Luxemburg
Luxembourg is a founding member State of the ILO. This country is an active partner of the ILO in the technical cooperation. The country
is sponsoring several projects in Central and Eastern Europe, including
in the areas of vocational training, the promotion of social dialogue and migration.
The Grand Duchy is ruled by a Christian Democrat (CSV) and Socialist Worker's Party of Luxemburg (LSAP) coalition headed by
Mr. J. C. JUNKER. The Minister of Labour and Employment is Mr. F. BILTGEN. Mr. J-L. SCHILTZ holds the post of Minister
of Cooperation and Humanitarian Action. The three Ministers are from the CSV. The government has recently
ratified 10 ILO Conventions among them Convention 111 on non-discrimination and 182 on the worst forms of child labour.
ILO Conventions ratified by Luxemburg
For general information about Luxemburg and the Luxemburg government,
click here.
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