110th International Labour Conference
International Labour Conference makes history - European Commission, Belgium and the Netherlands contribute to the conference
11 June 2022
Delegates attending the 110th International Labour Conference have adopted a resolution to add the principle of a safe and healthy working environment to the ILO Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. The landmark decision by the Conference means that occupational safety and health will become the fifth category of the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, which were adopted in 1998.
Representatives from the European Commission, and tripartite constituents of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, participated in the conference. Addressing the Plenary, Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, welcomed the Report of the ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, entitled The least developed countries (LDCs): Crisis, structural transformation and the future of work. He said that the EU believes that the Doha Programme of Action should serve as a basis for renewed efforts to counter the struggles and inequalities that LDCs face, and noted that unfortunately, the impacts of the conflict in Ukraine will be felt most acutely by these countries.
He highlighted that safe and healthy working conditions are fundamental to decent work. The European Commission’s new EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021-2027 devotes particular attention to international cooperation on this matter. “We need to work together to promote fair, inclusive and sustainable development models, particularly in times of conflict and desperation,” concluded the Commissioner.
Karien van Gennip, the Dutch Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, also intervened during the Plenary. She underscored the need to adapt to the changing demands of the labour market, e.g. by creating a workforce that is adaptable and resilient to fast-changing circumstances, through upskilling and reskilling. To this end, the Netherlands is investing heavily in lifelong learning and introduced a personal development budget for its residents. She also strongly condemned the fact that 160 million children are in child labour, and called for the implementation of the commitments made in Durban.
On 10 June, the ILC held the high-level World of Work Summit: Tackling multiple global crises, promoting a human-centred recovery and resilience. Discussions focused on the urgent action needed to address the labour and social consequences of the current crises, and the use of human-centred approaches to support peace, resilience, and inclusive development.
Speaking at the Summit, Pierre-Yves Dermagne, Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour, recognized that the challenges are huge. He mentioned the loss of power of the public authorities regarding the climate challenges, the consequences of which we are seeing around the world. The increasing inequalities are worrying, and there are major differences across nations and groups of the population. The globalization of supply chains and deregulation are beyond the direct control of states. “It is essential that the ILO values and principles are upheld by the multinationals players and promoted throughout the value chains,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
The war in Ukraine is worsening the already existing challenges, and we need to tackle these by bringing about a fairer transition and equality. We need to preserve employment and create new jobs, to respond to the challenges today and in the future, taking into account the development of skills, both with regard to the digital transition and the greening of our economies. The European Green Deal aims to create 1 million new jobs by 2030 and we need to support the new skills requirements. “The pursuit of decent work needs to remain at the forefront,” concluded Minister Dermagne.
Representatives from the European Commission, and tripartite constituents of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, participated in the conference. Addressing the Plenary, Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, welcomed the Report of the ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, entitled The least developed countries (LDCs): Crisis, structural transformation and the future of work. He said that the EU believes that the Doha Programme of Action should serve as a basis for renewed efforts to counter the struggles and inequalities that LDCs face, and noted that unfortunately, the impacts of the conflict in Ukraine will be felt most acutely by these countries.
He highlighted that safe and healthy working conditions are fundamental to decent work. The European Commission’s new EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021-2027 devotes particular attention to international cooperation on this matter. “We need to work together to promote fair, inclusive and sustainable development models, particularly in times of conflict and desperation,” concluded the Commissioner.
Karien van Gennip, the Dutch Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, also intervened during the Plenary. She underscored the need to adapt to the changing demands of the labour market, e.g. by creating a workforce that is adaptable and resilient to fast-changing circumstances, through upskilling and reskilling. To this end, the Netherlands is investing heavily in lifelong learning and introduced a personal development budget for its residents. She also strongly condemned the fact that 160 million children are in child labour, and called for the implementation of the commitments made in Durban.
On 10 June, the ILC held the high-level World of Work Summit: Tackling multiple global crises, promoting a human-centred recovery and resilience. Discussions focused on the urgent action needed to address the labour and social consequences of the current crises, and the use of human-centred approaches to support peace, resilience, and inclusive development.
Speaking at the Summit, Pierre-Yves Dermagne, Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour, recognized that the challenges are huge. He mentioned the loss of power of the public authorities regarding the climate challenges, the consequences of which we are seeing around the world. The increasing inequalities are worrying, and there are major differences across nations and groups of the population. The globalization of supply chains and deregulation are beyond the direct control of states. “It is essential that the ILO values and principles are upheld by the multinationals players and promoted throughout the value chains,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
The war in Ukraine is worsening the already existing challenges, and we need to tackle these by bringing about a fairer transition and equality. We need to preserve employment and create new jobs, to respond to the challenges today and in the future, taking into account the development of skills, both with regard to the digital transition and the greening of our economies. The European Green Deal aims to create 1 million new jobs by 2030 and we need to support the new skills requirements. “The pursuit of decent work needs to remain at the forefront,” concluded Minister Dermagne.