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The conclusions of the General Discussion Committee on a Just Transition were adopted, which emphasise the imperative to achieve social justice, eradicate poverty, and support decent work.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) held its 111th annual Conference in Geneva from 5–16 June 2023.
The 111th International Labour Conference (ILC) was attended by around 5,000 delegates representing governments, workers and employers from the ILO’s 187 Member States. Worker, employer and government delegates addressed a wide range of issues, including:
- a just transition towards sustainable and inclusive economies,
- quality apprenticeships, and
- labour protection.
Highlights of the this year's conference are as follows.
Quality apprenticeships
Following the conclusion of the 111th ILC, delegates have adopted a new Recommendation on Quality Apprenticeships, which aims to support "opportunities for people of all ages to skill, reskill and upskill continuously" in rapidly changing labour markets. The recommendation provides a clear definition of apprenticeships, specifies aspirational standards for quality apprenticeships, including rights and protection for apprentices.
Achieving sustainable economies through a just transition
Similarly, the conclusions of the General Discussion Committee on a Just Transition were adopted. They stressed the imperative need to advance a just transition to achieve social justice, eradicate poverty and support decent work. To serve as as a basis for action and the central reference for policymaking, delegates endorsed the ILO Guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies.
More inclusive labour protection
Delegates adopted the conclusions of the Recurrent Discussion Committee on Labour Protection, which charts progress towards more inclusive, adequate and effective labour protection for all workers, and creates a basis for developing a plan of action.
The report of the Committee on the Application of Standards (CAN), a key supervisory body of the ILO's standards system, was approved during the plenary session. The CAS examined 24 individual country cases related to the observance of ILO Conventions.
It considered the Committee of Experts’ General Survey titled “Achieving gender equality at work”. Following a discussion, the tripartite members of the committee highlighted the urgent need to eliminate all forms of discrimination in employment and occupation, guarantee full and effective maternity protection and ensure the right of workers with family responsibilities to engage in employment.
During the Conference, 13 ratifications of International Labour Conventions were registered — mainly in respect of the recently adopted convention against violence and harassment in the world of work and conventions concerning occupational and safety and health.
2024/2025 budget and programme
Looking ahead, the conference adopted the ILO Programme and Budget for 2024/25. The document and resolution reaffirmed the commitment expressed by all the ILO’s tripartite constituents to “combat all forms of discrimination and exclusion on any ground for the benefit of all”, while recognising the “different positions expressed on some issues”.
A high-level World of Work Summit also took place from June 14 to 15 June, centred around the theme of "Social justice for all" and addressed a range of social justice topics, including the proposal for a Global Coalition for Social Justice. Panels examined inequalities and informality, equal opportunities, lifelong learning and skills development, social protection, and strategies to advance trade, sustainable development, and human and labour rights. The summit saw the participation of sixteen Heads of State and Government, representatives from various UN and multilateral bodies, as well as workers' and employers' organisations.
Lastly, the conference marked World Day Against Child Labour on 12 June, whereby ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, called on the international community to support greater social justice and step up the fight against child labour.
Speaking at the ILC closing ceremony, Director-General Houngbo, told delegates: “You should be proud of what you have accomplished. Your commitment to the mandate of the ILO, your skilled negotiations, your careful diplomacy, resulted in the adoption of several significant documents at this Conference.”
“As we continue the ILO’s long journey to fulfil its mandate, we heard resounding and unequivocal support for a Global Coalition for Social Justice. Heads of State, Ministers of Labour and leaders of employers’ and workers’ organisations recognised the Global Coalition as an initiative that is timely and essential. We must now build on this momentum.”
Malaysia's Human Resources Minister, V. Sivakumar, also attended the ILC. There, he highlighted several of Malaysia's state initiatives in providing fair protection to workers, including amendments to the Employment Act 1955, amendments to Act 446, expansion of social protection coverage to foreign workers through Work Disaster Scheme and national plans to join the Alliance 8.7 process as a Pathfinder country.
Similarly, Singapore's Minister of Manpower Dr. Tan See Leng shared Singapore's approach to uplifting workers, and highlighted the efforts to strengthen support for vulnerable workers and enhance the wellbeing of migrant workers.
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