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Bimbola Oyesola
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, will be missing out as over top 50 world leaders attending the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Centenary Conference commencing today in Geneva, Switzerland.
While Buhari’s name was missing in the schedule of the conference made available to the media covering the event, Ghana’s President, Nana Akufo-Addo, is billed to be the first African President to address the 108 International Labour Conference (ILC) session this afternoon.
Other African’ Presidents on the list include, South African Cyril Ramaphosa, Burkina Faso’s Christophe Joseph Marie Dabire, Ibrahim Boubakar Keita of Mali, Madagascar’s Andry Rajoelina and Côte d’Ivoire’s Daniel Kablan Duncan, Vice-President.
Among other world leaders billed for the event, from Monday, June 10, to Friday, June 21, are German Chancellor Angela Merkel, United Kingdom’s Theresa May, Emmanuel Macron of France, Italy’s Sergio Mattarella, Russian Federation’s Dmitry Medvedev, Sweden’s Stefan Lofven and Norway’s Erna Solberg.
According to ILO, a large number of heads of state and government will be attending the conference from June 10 to 20.
In the past, Nigeria had often been represented by the labour minister, but as President Buhari is yet to announce his new cabinet, there would not be no minister leading Nigeria’s delegate to this year’s ILC.
Highlighting what to expect at the 100th conference, Dimitrina Dimitrova, deputy director of ILO official meetings and relations department said the centenary ILC will be a gathering like no other.
She noted that while the ILC is an annual event, this 108th session of the conference is taking place in the 100th year of the organisation.
“To mark this special occasion, the focus will be on the profound transformations under way in the world of work, including the evolving role of the ILO in building a future of work we want,” she said.
She disclosed that some 5,700 government, employer and worker delegates from the ILO’s 187 member states are expected to attend what is often called the ‘world parliament of labour.’
She said, “It will be held at the United Nations Palais des Nations in Geneva from June 10 to 21, 2019, and these are what to expect,
High-level visits
More than 50 high-level dignitaries, including about 45 heads of state or government, are expected to address the delegates during two high-level conference segments, from 10 to 12 June and 19 to 20 June. Many heads of international organizations will take part in the discussions, either in the plenary sessions or the thematic forums. On 21 June the Conference will be honoured by the visit of the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres.
The future of work
The recommendations of the Global Commission on the Future of Work, Work for a brighter future, published earlier this year, will guide much of the Centenary ILC’s work. In the past few months ILO member States have held dozens of national level dialogues to debate the Report and delegates will address the issues raised in the plenary discussions.
Fighting workplace violence and harassment
Violence and harassment at work affects the health, security and wellbeing of working women and men. Following an initial discussion, held last year, the Centenary Conference will be considering the adoption of a Convention accompanied by a Recommendation on this critical issue.
Centenary declaration
In the Committee of the Whole, the delegates will consider a Centenary Declaration, which the Conference is expected to adopt. Discussions will cover the forces transforming the world of work and the mission of the ILO in shaping a future of shared prosperity for all.
Application of standards
As usual, the Committee on the Application of Standards will examine the application of ratified Conventions in a number of countries and point out areas where they could be better applied. It will also review the implementation of national policies on progressively achieving social protection for all, as outlined in this year’s General Survey.
Thematic forums and events
Dimitrova explained further that in order to stimulate debate, a series of thematic forums and events will take place between 13 and 18 June.
“Interactive in format and attended by outstanding speakers and special guests, they will provide an opportunity for lively discussions on a bro range of issues shaping the future of work; jobs and skills, technology and decent work, freedom of association and collective bargaining, business for decent work, multilateralism and the future of work, work and life transitions. A debate on building a brighter future without child labour will be held to mark World Day Against Child Labour,” she said.
