Decision on the fourth item on the agenda: The standards initiative: Follow-up to the 2012 ILC Committee on the Application of Standards

Record of decisions | 28 March 2014

Decision on the fourth item on the agenda: The standards initiative: Follow-up to the 2012 ILC Committee on the Application of Standards

The Governing Body:

(a) reaffirmed that in order to exercise fully its constitutional responsibilities, it was essential for the ILO to have an effective, efficient and authoritative standards supervisory system commanding the support of all constituents;

(b) welcomed the clear statement by the Committee of Experts of its mandate as expressed in the Committee’s 2014 report;

(c) deemed it necessary to give further consideration to options to address a dispute or question that may arise with respect to the interpretation of a Convention;

(d) underscored the critical importance of the effective functioning of the Committee on the Application of Standards in conformity with its mandate at the 103rd Session of the International Labour Conference; and

(e) recognized that a number of steps could be examined with a view to improving the working methods of the standards supervisory system.

The Governing Body therefore requested the Director-General to:

(a) prepare a document for its 322nd Session (November 2014) setting out the possible modalities, scope and costs of action under articles 37(1) and 37(2) of the ILO Constitution to address a dispute or question that may arise in relation to the interpretation of an ILO Convention;

(b) present to the 322nd Session of the Governing Body, a time frame for the consideration of remaining outstanding issues in respect of the supervisory system and for launching the standards review mechanism;

(c) continue to enhance the effectiveness of the support provided by the Office to the Committee of Experts in the discharge of its mandate;

(d) take all necessary action to expedite the filling of vacancies on the Committee of Experts and to propose any adjustments to the relevant procedures to facilitate this objective; and

(e) continue informal consultations with all groups of the Governing Body in respect of all matters referred to in this decision.

The Governing Body also:

(a) encouraged the continuation of informal dialogue between the Committee of Experts and the Conference Committee on the Application of Standards; and

(b) invited the Committee of Experts to continue to examine its methods of work with a view to further enhancing its effectiveness and efficiency. As in the past, the experts may wish to communicate any progress made in their annual report and through its dialogue with the Committee on the Application of Standards.

The Governing Body further:

(a) recommended to the Conference Committee on the Application of Standards that it consider convening its Working Party on Working Methods to take stock of current arrangements and develop further recommendations on the Committee’s working methods; and

(b) called on all parties concerned to contribute to the successful conclusion of the work of the Conference Committee on the Application of Standards at the 103rd Session of the International Labour Conference.

(Document GB.320/LILS/4, paragraphs 40–43.)