ILO Governing Body concludes its 353rd Session

GENEVA (ILO NEWS) – The Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) concluded its 353rd Session (10-20 March), tackling critical global labour challenges and reviewing country cases to promote decent work and social justice.

The Governing Body took note of the Global Framework on Chemicals For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste and the Bonn Declaration. It endorsed the actions of the Office (the secretariat of the Organization) to promote chemical safety by supporting international standards, providing technical assistance, and fostering collaboration for improved occupational health.

The Governing Body also agreed to ensure the ILO’s tripartite contribution and close cooperation at two key upcoming summits: the Second World Summit for Social Development (4–6 November 2025, Doha, Qatar) and the Sixth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour (2026, Morocco).

Regarding the Second World Summit for Social Development, the Governing Body decided to transmit to the 113th International Labour Conference (2–13 June 2025) for possible adoption, a draft resolution, highlighting the tripartite recommendations to the Summit. These recommendations emphasize the need for a renewed global social contract to eradicate poverty and enhance social cohesion, by prioritizing the creation of decent jobs, sustainable enterprises, and economic development. They call for meaningful progress on universal social protection, youth employment, living wages and the implementation of international labour standards, as well as support for transitions to formal, digital, green, and care economies.

The Governing Body also requested the Director-General to integrate its guidance into the implementation of the ILO strategy on decent work in supply chains, and to submit a progress report to the 359th Session (March 2027).

The Governing Body also agreed to submit a revised proposal for the Programme and Budget for 2026-27 to the 113th International Labour Conference.

As part of the ILO’s supervisory role, the Governing Body reviewed country cases, including Bangladesh, Belarus, Guatemala, Myanmar, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Notably, it decided to establish a Commission of Inquiry on Nicaragua due to its failure to engage meaningfully on serious labour rights concerns, in accordance with Article 26 of the ILO Constitution.