By Bimbola Oyesola
Despite the ongoing labour issues bordering on minimum wage at home, Nigeria’s delegates are actively participating at the 112 International Labour Conference (ILC) organised by the International Labour Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.
Some members of organised labour, government representatives and employers of labour are part of different committees driving the affairs of this year’s conference.
The yearly ILC of the ILO is a gathering of workers’, employers’ and government delegates from the ILO’s 187 member states.
The tripartite body members are expected to tackle a wide range of issues that have long-term impacts on the world of work.
Issues lined up for this year’s conference include a plenary discussion of the report of the chairperson of the Governing Body and of the thematic report of the Director-General, entitled “Renewing the Social Contract.”
Also, a special plenary sitting to discuss the appendix to the report of the Director-General on the situation of workers of the occupied Arab territories (as per the decision adopted by the Governing Body at its 350th Session (March 2024)).
There will likewise be a discussion on protection against biological hazards (first discussion out of the two foreseen in the ILO’s standard-setting procedure) which could lead to the adoption of an international labour standard on the subject at next year’s ILC.
The discussion on the strategic objective of fundamental principles and rights at work (recurrent discussion procedure) and a discussion on decent work and the care economy (general discussion procedure) are also considered crucial to the conference.
According to the ILO, a further technical committees will examine information on the programme and budget; information and reports on the application of Conventions and Recommendations; as well as the foreseen abrogation of four international labour Conventions.
“The Office prepares a number of reports under each agenda item which generally serve as the basis for the discussions,” the ILO said.
Child Labour
Similarly, as per its usual practice the Conference will hold a lunchtime event to mark the World Day against Child Labour, on Wednesday, June 12.
This year’s event, the ILO noted, will be held under the theme “Let’s act on our commitments: End Child Labour”.
It will celebrate the 25 years since the adoption of Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182), as well as provide an opportunity for the tripartite constituents to discuss advances and challenges in relation to the elimination of child labour.
Furthermore, the Inaugural Forum of the Global Coalition for Social Justice will be held on Thursday, 13 June.
The global body stated that the event will provide a space for Coalition partners to discuss thematic issues related to social justice as well as the challenges, opportunities and potential solutions in respect of advancing the Coalition’s objectives.
“It will also allow Coalition partners to exchange knowledge, tools and experiences, and to showcase activities and initiatives undertaken or envisaged in support of social justice,” the ILO added.