87th Session
Geneva, 1-17 June 1999
Presentation
of the Report of the Chairperson of the Governing Body by Mr. Nobutoshi
Akao |
I have the honour to present to you the report on the work of the Governing Body during the past year, which is contained in Provisional Record No. 2. This report focuses on the highlights of the Governing Body's year, and does not cover in detail matters that are otherwise before the Conference. I will briefly touch on the main points.
First, the Governing Body decided on the measures and provisions needed to give effect to the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Follow-up which was adopted by the Conference last year. This involves an annual review of countries that have not ratified one or more of the fundamental Conventions, to be carried out once a year in the Governing Body; and a global report that will deal each year with one of the four categories of fundamental rights in turn for all countries, whether or not they have ratified the Conventions relating to these rights. The Governing Body decided to introduce the procedure for the annual reviews from 1999 onwards, and to discontinue the existing cycle of special reports after the report on freedom of association currently in preparation, and to produce the first global report (on freedom of association) for the year 2000.
The Governing Body decided to appoint a group of experts composed of seven eminent persons which will be responsible for examining the information compiled by the Office on the basis of the replies from Members and will present to the Governing Body an introduction to the compilation based on those reports, drawing its attention to aspects that seem to call for more in-depth discussion. The Governing Body has requested the Director-General to undertake wide consultations in order to submit concrete proposals for the appointment of the group of experts not later than November 1999.
The Governing Body modified its procedures to allow Members not represented on the Governing Body to provide clarifications to supplement the information contained in their reports. The Governing Body also determined the cycle of global reports and ensured the coordination of periods for reports due under article 22 of the Constitution. Further details can be found in the report.
In March the Governing Body held a Symposium on the Social Impact of the Asian Financial Crisis, which discussed various aspects of the problem in detail and commented on the key elements of ongoing reforms, appropriate responses, and the role of the international financial institutions (IFIs). It called for closer cooperation between those institutions and the ILO and recommended various measures, including ILO representation on the IMF Interim Committee and the World Bank/IMF Development Committee, as well as the working out of agreed priorities for joint action, including active cooperation at both the policy-making and operational level to promote implementation of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work by the IFIs, and the assignment of high priority to the design and implementation of efficient social insurance systems by the ILO.
The Governing Body's Working Party on the Social Dimensions of the Liberalization of International Trade devoted considerable attention to the issues of codes of conduct, social labelling and other private sector initiatives addressing labour issues, noting the relevance of these issues to the ILO and its objectives. It asked the Office to continue its collection of information and analysis, as well as the appropriate dissemination of information, and it was agreed that any activities ultimately undertaken by the Office should respect the voluntary nature of the initiatives. The Working Party recognized that the ILO should give an appropriate response to requests made to the Organization on matters lying clearly within the ILO's terms of reference. The view was expressed in this regard that such assistance should take the form of information and advice and should not in any way put the ILO in a position of accepting or rejecting particular initiatives.
The country studies on the social impact of globalization are now nearly complete. The Working Party on the Social Dimensions of the Liberalization of International Trade discussed follow-up and ILO action, and expressed interest in various suggestions for further work, including the possibility of presenting the results of the final report to a wider audience, including representatives from other international organizations, such as the World Bank and the World Trade Organization. The outcome of the exercise as a whole will be discussed in November 1999, and other international organizations may be invited to take part in the discussion.
In November the Governing Body concluded its evaluation of the Active Partnership Policy (APP). The aim was to assess the extent to which the Active Partnership Policy had brought the ILO closer to its tripartite constituency in member States, the extent to which constituents had become increasingly involved in joint action with the ILO, and the extent of improvements in the coherence and quality of technical services provided to constituents. As regards evaluation methodology and its modalities, the Governing Body recalled its earlier decision to establish an evaluation methodology for the Active Partnership Policy and a system of ongoing monitoring of the Active Partnership Policy. Further discussion will take place in November 1999.
The Governing Body discussed the implementation of the ILO's resource mobilization strategy, which will be discussed by the Conference at its present session under the agenda item concerning the role of the ILO in technical cooperation and in connection with the Programme and Budget for 2000-01.
Turning to international labour standards, the Governing Body reviewed progress in the ratification and promotion of the ILO's fundamental Conventions, in particular the Director-General's campaign, which has resulted in 116 new ratifications of these seven Conventions. As regards the revision of standards, the review of Conventions is now complete and attention is now being given to international labour Recommendations.
In November last year, the Governing Body took note of the report of the Commission of Inquiry which was established to examine the complaint concerning the observance by Myanmar of the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29), made by Conference delegates in 1996 under article 26 of the ILO Constitution. In March this year, the Governing Body examined a progress report on the measures taken by the Government of Myanmar to implement the recommendations contained in the report, and requested the Director-General to inform the members of the Governing Body, by means of a written report, of measures taken by the Government of Myanmar to comply with the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry, and to give details of any technical assistance requested or provided. It also requested the Director-General to disseminate the findings and conclusions of the Commission of Inquiry throughout the United Nations system. In November this year, the Governing Body will return to the question of the measures taken to secure compliance by the Government of Myanmar with the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry.
Following the complaint concerning the non-observance by Colombia of Conventions Nos. 87 and 98 made by Conference delegates last year under article 26 of the ILO Constitution, the Governing Body in November last year requested the Government of Colombia to communicate its observations on the complaint, and in March this year, the Governing Body considered the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry to examine the case. The Governing Body has postponed until November its decision on the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry and selection of its members, and has made the necessary financial arrangements in the event that a Commission of Inquiry is finally appointed.
The Governing Body examined the progress made to date with regard to the ILO's country employment policy reviews, which are part of the ILO's activities to give effect to the Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Summit for Social Development, and in particular to promoting the goal of full, productive and freely chosen employment with full respect for workers' fundamental rights. It also discussed other preparations for the International Consultation concerning follow-up on the World Summit for Social Development, which will be held next year. These preparations included four regional consultations.
The Governing Body discussed the growing economic crisis which is severely affecting many member States, and in particular their inability to stem rising unemployment, poverty and job insecurity. It discussed the nature of the worldwide crisis and the ILO's action to assist specific countries, including the response of the international financial institutions, and reviewed a number of selected ILO activities.
As regards the International Labour Conference, the Governing Body agreed on the agenda for the session to be held in 2001. On the understanding that the item on the agenda of next year's session entitled "Human resources training and development: Vocational guidance and vocational training" would also cover the issue of youth employment, the Governing Body selected items concerning the promotion of cooperatives (with a view to the adoption of a Recommendation) and social security: issues, challenges and prospects (for a general discussion).
In March, the Governing Body welcomed Mr. Juan Somavia as the new Director-General of the International Labour Office. It paid tribute in particular to the innovative and strategic Programme and Budget proposals for 2000-01 prepared under his auspices, which are before the Conference for adoption at its present session.
Finally, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to my two fellow Officers who are not here at the moment -- Mr. Thüsing, who is the Employer Vice-Chairperson of the Governing Body, and Mr. Brett, who is the Worker Vice-Chairperson. I should like to thank Mr. Thüsing and Mr. Brett for their valuable cooperation and hard work over what has been a heavy year for the Governing Body. I should also like to thank both Mr. Hansenne, former Director-General, and Mr. Somavia and the staff of the Office for their constant support and assistance.
Updated by HK. Approved by RH. Last update: 26 January 2000.