Tripartite working group on ILO’s governance (2020-2023)

The tripartite working group on the full, equal and democratic participation in the ILO’s tripartite governance (TWGD) was established by the Governing Body at its 337th Session (October-November 2019) to serve as a platform for focused dialogue and for developing proposals on the full, equal and democratic participation in the ILO’s tripartite governance, in the spirit of the ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work and the accompanying Resolution.

At its 340th Session (November 2020), the Governing Body decided that the TWGD would be mandated to discuss, develop and present proposals to the Governing Body on the full, equal and democratic participation of the ILO’s constituents in the Organization’s tripartite governance by ensuring a fair representation of all regions and establishing the principle of equality among Member States.

The TWGD was composed of 14 Government members from each of the four regions and the Employers’ and Workers’ groups secretariats while all interested governments may attend and participate in the discussions.
 
The TWGD held seven meetings between December 2020 and November 2022 and concluded its work by presenting a final report of which the Governing Body took note at its 347th Session (March 2023).

The Governing Body will continue to monitor the progress made in the ratification of the 1986 instrument of amendment until its entry into force.

First meeting (11 December 2020)

The TWGD met virtually on 11 December 2020. It first adopted its Terms of reference and appointed the Government members of Nigeria and Switzerland as its Co-Chairpersons. It then reviewed the status of ratification of the 1986 constitutional amendment and related information and held an initial exchange of views on the scope and limits of democratization of ILO governance.

Second meeting (21 January and 1 February 2021)

The TWGD met virtually on 21 January and 1 February 2021. As agreed at the first meeting, a questionnaire was prepared and circulated among the members of the TWGD on 16 December 2020. Members were requested to express their views as to the meaning and scope of the notion of ‘democratization’ of the ILO’s tripartite governance and also to communicate concrete proposals on the priorities and possible future plan of work of the TWGD.
  • Replies to the questionnaire were received by the Workers' and Employers' group secretariats (joint response) and the Governments of the following Member States:

Based on the replies to the questionnaire, it was generally accepted that the TWGD should make proposals to the Governing Body for further promoting the entry into force of the 1986 constitutional amendment and that the democratization of ILO’s tripartite governance called for a targeted approach and should be guided by certain core principles, such as equality, fair representation and transparency.

The TWGD considered also a draft Conference resolution with a view to removing obstacles to ratification of the 1986 constitutional amendment, especially as regards concerns around obsolete terminology used in article 7 of the amendment.
At its 341st Session (March 2021), the Governing Body took note of the report of the TWGD and decided to transmit the resolution on the principle of equality among ILO Member States and fair representation of all regions in the ILO’s tripartite governance to the 109th Session of the Conference for possible adoption, extend the duration of the tripartite working group for a period of 12 months and request the TWGD to present a progress report and a final report for its consideration at the 343rd (November 2021) and 344th (March 2022) Sessions, respectively.

Third meeting (28 June 2021)

Fourth meeting (8 September 2021)

At its 343rd Session (November 2021), the Governing Body: (a) took note of the progress report of the tripartite working group on the full, equal and democratic participation in the ILO’s tripartite governance; and (b) requested the Director-General to intensify the promotional activities in relation to the 1986 Amendment pursuant to the resolution on the principle of equality among ILO Member States and fair representation of all regions in the ILO’s tripartite governance adopted at the June segment of the 109th Session (2021) of the International Labour Conference.

Fifth meeting (3 and 14 February 2022)

At its 344th Session (March 2022), the Governing Body: (a) took note of the report of the tripartite working group on the full, equal and democratic participation in the ILO’s tripartite governance; (b) decided to extend the duration of the tripartite working group for a period of 12 months, and in this context, invited the Co-Chairpersons to continue to hold consultations, bilateral or otherwise, on the issue of democratization of ILO’s tripartite governance; (c) requested the Director-General to pursue and further intensify the promotional activities in relation to the 1986 constitutional amendment pursuant to the resolution on the principle of equality among ILO Member States and fair representation of all regions in the ILO’s tripartite governance adopted at the June segment of the 109th Session (2021) of the International Labour Conference; and (d) requested the tripartite working group to present a final report for consideration at its 347th Session (March 2023).

Sixth meeting (19 July 2022)

Seventh meeting (15 November 2022)

At its 347th Session (March 2023), the Governing Body: (a) took note of the final report of the tripartite working group on the full, equal and democratic participation in the ILO’s tripartite governance; (b) welcomed the significant progress made in the ratification of the Instrument for the Amendment of the Constitution of the International Labour Organization, 1986, since the establishment of the working group; (c) urged the eight Members of chief industrial importance which have not yet ratified the 1986 constitutional amendment to consider favourably such ratification in the shortest possible time; (d) requested the Director-General to take all necessary initiatives aimed at bringing the 1986 constitutional amendment into effect and keep the Governing Body updated in subsequent November and March sessions until the amendment enters into force.