BANGKOK (ILO News) – The International Labour Organization (ILO) in tandem with the Ministry of Labour is convening a one-day seminar on Tripartite Consultations on Friday 14 November, 2003 at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC).

The seminar will examine the ILO Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention (C 144), 1976, which is strategically important in promoting a mechanism for social dialogue in ILO member States. Such participation is critical to ensuring that government policies remain firmly targeted towards the creation of decent jobs, fully reflect social and economic considerations and enjoy widespread democratic support.

The objective of the seminar is to enhance the understanding of relevant government, workers and employer organizations with respect to tripartite consultations related to international labour standards (ILS), discuss Thailand’s experience in tripartite consultations, and identify possible strategies to strengthen tripartite consultation mechanisms.

ILO Convention No. 144 is one of the ILO’s 12 priority Conventions, and adding to the 110 ratifications worldwide is an operational objective through which the Organization aims to further democratic decision-making and decent work in today’s global economy.

Thailand already has an established practice of tripartite consultations on various labour issues through 16 tripartite committees, including a Labour Relations Committee, a Wage Committee, a Social Security Committee, a State Enterprise Labour Relations Committee, and a Workplace Safety Standards Committee, among others.

As Thailand ventures deep into the global free trade system, effective dialogue to ensure that labour market forces and actors work for the benefit of private and public interests alike is key to successful governance and sustainable development.

This means examining how the country can provide more and better employment opportunities for its workforce, and looking at ways and means to formulate social and economic development policies that address the concerns facing workers and employers. The rapidly changing world of work and employment relationships necessitates an effective mechanism for social dialogue where labour rights can be created and protected.

Since joining the ILO in 1919, Thailand has ratified 13 Conventions. In recent years, Thailand has renewed its interest in ILS and ratified two core Conventions – C 100 on Equal Remuneration in 1999 and C 182 on Worst Forms of Child Labour in 2001 – in addition to Conventions on forced labour.

Online resources

View ILO Convention No. 144 online at:
/ilolex/english/convdisp1.htm

View Recommendation 152, which supplements Convention No. 144 online at: /ilolex/english/recdisp1.htm

A program is attached for your convenience

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