Core labor standard

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The core labor standards , also known as the core conventions of the International Labor Organization , are social standards within the framework of the world trade order that are intended to guarantee decent working conditions and adequate protection. They were set out in a declaration by the International Labor Organization (ILO) in 1998 .

Conventions

The core labor standards include the following conventions of the International Labor Organization :

background

The conventions are based on the four principles of freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of forced labor , the abolition of child labor and the prohibition of discrimination in employment and occupation. The four basic principles are not limited to the eight core labor standards; As the guiding principles and principles of action of the ILO, they pervade a large number of other conventions and recommendations.

In accordance with the ILO Declaration of 1998, the members of the ILO are bound in good faith, based solely on their membership in the organization and even if they have not ratified the relevant conventions, the principles relating to the fundamental rights that are the subject of these core conventions and to adhere to, promote, and implement in accordance with the Constitution.

At the World Social Summit in Copenhagen in 1995, the international community called for universal social rules to accompany globalization. The ILO then launched an intensive campaign to increase the number of ratifications of the core labor standards. Despite progress, however, a large number of member states remained a long way from ratifying the core labor standards. A few years later, out of this situation, the consideration arose to push the process forward with a solemn declaration.

In June 1998, the “Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work” was adopted unanimously at the 86th session of the International Labor Conference. With this, all member states of the organization expressly commit to the core labor standards. The explanation begins with a clear position determination. She stresses

"(...) that the ILO was founded in the conviction that social justice is an essential prerequisite for lasting world peace; that economic growth is essential, but not sufficient to guarantee justice, social progress and the eradication of poverty; that The ILO must ensure that economic and social policies are mutually reinforcing within the framework of a global strategy for economic and social development, so that broad-based, lasting development is created. "

So far, 144 ILO member states have ratified all core or human rights conventions, including Germany.

Follow-up mechanism

The progress of the Member States in fulfilling their obligations will be monitored through a regular follow-up mechanism. To this end, the member states must report annually on their activities to enforce the basic principles. From these reports, the Director General of the ILO creates an overall report that reflects the global situation and is presented to the International Labor Conference for discussion. The technical assistance provided by the ILO in this area should also be presented and discussed. The ongoing reporting should therefore “serve as a basis for assessing the effectiveness of the support provided by the organization and for setting priorities”, as the declaration states.

With this follow-up mechanism, the declaration falls back on the tried and tested. The constitution of the ILO already imposes certain reporting obligations on the member states. A distinction is made between reports on the application of ratified conventions and those that deal with the question of why a country has not yet ratified a convention. For countries that have not ratified the core labor standards, reporting is significantly expanded by the declaration. In future, they will also have to subject themselves to specific monitoring of their legislation and practice.

The following reports have appeared so far:

  • Your Voice at Work , German participation in the workplace, 2000, on "Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining"
  • Stopping Forced Labor , dt. End of forced labor, 2001, for the "elimination of forced labor"
  • A Future without Child Labor , dt. A future without child labor, 2002, on the "prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor"
  • Time for Equality at Work - a commandment of the hour, 2003, on "discrimination at work"
  • Organizing for Social Justice , dt. To join together for social justice, 2004, on "Freedom of association and right to collective bargaining"
  • A Global Alliance Against Forced Labor , dt. A global alliance against forced labor, 2005, for the "elimination of forced labor"
  • The end of child labor: Within reach . The end of child labor - within reach , 2006 second report on "Prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor"
  • Equality at work. Tackling the challenges , equality at work: meeting the challenges, 2007, second report on "Discrimination at work"
  • Freedom of association in practice: Lessons learned , dt. Freedom of association in practice: Collected experiences, 2008, third general report on " Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining"
  • The cost of coercion , German: The costs of forced labor, 2009, third general report on the "Elimination of forced labor"

Protectionism criticism

Some developing countries see such standards as an attempt by the industrialized countries to undermine a major competitive factor in the developing countries, namely low wages.

The ILO representation in Germany says: “The declaration is to be understood as an appeal to the member states of the ILO and to the organization itself. It wants to encourage, promote and give impulses for action. Sanctions cannot be derived from it. Rather, the declaration emphasizes that the standards of the ILO, the declaration itself and its follow-up measures must not be used for trade protectionist purposes. This clear statement was a decisive prerequisite for the solemn declaration to be adopted without a dissenting vote. "

See also

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c page of the ILO representation in Germany on core labor standards
  2. ↑ Declaration on Basic Principles and Rights at Work
  3. ^ Ratifications of fundamental conventions. Retrieved January 24, 2019 .

literature

Web links