Public Sector Unions learn about the strategic use of the ILO Supervisory Mechanisms
The participants agreed that the workshop provided a lot of practical information and tools as well as food for thought. It also gave an opportunity to share national experiences.
8 September 2022
On 9 September 2022, the Cipriani College of Labour and Cooperative Studies (CCLCS) in Trinidad and Tobago hosted a workshop on International Labour Standards (ILS) and Supervisory Mechanisms of the ILO organized by the Public Services International and ILO Caribbean Office.
This workshop came as a follow up to the webinar on ILS organized earlier this year. It allowed the participants representing public sector trade unions from 13 Caribbean countries to dig deeper into such topics as setting and supervising the application of ILO Conventions and Recommendations, the difference between regular and special supervisory mechanisms, reporting cycles, as well as the rights and role of trade unions.
Presenter Mr Victor Hugo Ricco, ILO Senior Specialist in Workers’ Activities, underlined that TU can effectively participate in the ILS System once there is an understanding that these are tools at the union movement’s disposal.
A separate session was devoted to practice including using the online tools, such as:
- NORMLEX - Information System on International Labour Standards (ilo.org), bringing together information on International Labour Standards (such as ratification information, reporting requirements, comments of the ILO's supervisory bodies, etc.) as well as national labour and social security laws; and
- Freedom of Association: A guide for Workers, an application giving an overview of the principles on freedom of association which have been established by the ILO’s Supervisory Bodies on the basis of the ILO’s Constitution and its standards to help trade unions to understand how ILO procedures and Bodies can best be used to secure and promote freedom of association.
The participants agreed that the workshop provided a lot of practical information and tools as well as food for thought. It also gave an opportunity to share national experiences.
The ILO attaches great importance to increasing the capacity of trade unions to understand and participate in the ILS System from standard setting agenda to supervision.