The Governing Body was in session between 1-15 November under the chairmanship of H.E. Mr. Dayan Jayatilleka, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva.
On the link between climate change and decent work, the Working Party on the Social Dimension of Globalization held a panel discussion including Mr. Achim Steiner, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Mr. Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Mr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary-General, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Mr. Matthew Farrow, Head of Environment Policy, Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and Mr. Joaquín Nieto, Secretary for Occupational Safety, Health and Environment, Comisiones Obreras Trade Union (CCOO), Spain.
Besides the ILO proposal to promote a socially just transition to green jobs, the Working Party also discussed the follow-up to the joint ILO/WTO Secretariat study on trade and employment published in March 2006, including preparations for a new joint study on the links between globalization, trade and informal employment.
The Governing Body also reviewed the Understanding reached between the ILO and the Government of Myanmar in February 2007 on a mechanism for victims of forced labour to seek redress without having to fear reprisals. Noting the progress in the operation of the Understanding between Myanmar and the ILO up to the time of public demonstrations and their suppression at the end of September 2007, the Governing Body, however, expressed its serious concern at the Government’s crackdown in response to the recent peaceful protests.
The Governing Body called on the Government of Myanmar to make at the highest level an unambiguous public statement that all forms of forced labour are prohibited throughout the country and will be duly punished. The Government should ensure that the mechanism provided by the Understanding remains fully operational with no further detention or harassment of complainants, facilitators or others, and that it fully applies to the military authorities. Full attention should be given to preventing the recruitment of child soldiers.
The Governing Body further instructed the International Labour Office to undertake a full review of the operation of the Understanding for submission to the Governing Body at its March 2008 session together with recommendations for both the Understanding’s future and the ILO’s ongoing role in Myanmar.
Regarding trade union rights in Belarus, the Governing Body considered for the fourth time what measures had been taken to promote the implementation of recommendations of the 2004 Commission of Inquiry and an ILO mission to the country in June 2007.
Taking note of the information given by the Minister of Labour of Belarus, the Governing Body welcomed the Government’s stated intention to reach an agreement between all parties concerned on the question of trade union legislation. It underlined that all trade unions and employers’ organizations should be able to function freely and obtain recognition in law and practice. While expecting that significant progress towards satisfactory solutions will be made in Belarus, the Governing Body decided to review developments in the country with respect to freedom of association at its March 2008 session.
The Governing Body also approved the 348th Report of the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association, drawing special attention to the cases of Colombia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guatemala and Indonesia.