Governing Body

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Record of Decisions

 

This document is a preliminary working paper for the use of the Governing Body and officials of the Office. It records only the Governing Body's decisions, and not the circumstances of their adoption, except where they were the result of a formal vote. The comments or reservations by individual members or groups subject to which the decisions were made will be found in the minutes of the session. Where an Office publication or paper refers to a Governing Body decision, the source given should be the relevant Governing Body document and minutes, and not this Record of Decisions. The Record of Decisions is arranged in the order of the items on the Governing Body's agenda. All decisions relating to a particular paper or section of a paper are grouped together. After the decision the sitting at which it was taken is indicated in brackets together with the basis on which it was taken, including appropriate references to Governing Body papers. The decisions are reproduced in full, with the exception of those relating to reports of the Committee on Freedom of Association, where a simple reference is made to the paragraphs of the report which form the basis of the decision. The table of contents is in the form of a detailed agenda showing for each item the number of the relevant Governing Body paper and that of the relevant paragraph in the Record of Decisions.

 

Contents

 

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Record of Decisions

First item on the agenda

Approval of the minutes of the 276th Session

     1.    The Governing Body approved the minutes of its 276th Session. (First sitting; GB.277/1)

 

Second item on the agenda

Date, place and agenda of the 90th Session (2002) of the Conference

     2.    The Governing Body decided that the 90th Session (2002) of the Conference should open on Tuesday, 4 June 2002, and that it should be held in Geneva. (First sitting; GB.277/2/1, paras. 1 and 2)

     3.    The Governing Body decided to place on the agenda of the 90th Session (2002) of the International Labour Conference an item relating to the withdrawal of Recommendations Nos. 1, 5, 11, 15, 37, 38, 39, 42, 45, 50, 51, 54, 56, 59, 63, 64, 65, 66, 72 and 73. (First sitting; GB.277/2/2, para. 8)

     4.    The Governing Body deferred all other decisions concerning the agenda of the 90th Session (2002) of the International Labour Conference until its 279th Session (November 2000). (First sitting; statement by the Chairperson)

 

Third item on the agenda

Review of annual reports under the follow-up to the ILO
Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work

     5.    The Governing Body took note of a statement by the Legal Adviser concerning the meaning of the term “established practice” in Part II.B.1 of the Annex to the Declaration. (Third sitting; statement by the Legal Adviser)

Part I:       Introduction by the ILO Declaration Expert-Advisers to the compilation of annual reports

     6.    The Governing Body took note of an oral report by the Chairperson on the discussion in the committee of the whole on the Office compilation and the Introduction by the Expert-Advisers, and of clarifications provided by the Director-General and the Legal Adviser. It endorsed the recommendations in paragraphs 22 to 25 of the Introduction, and accordingly requested the International Labour Office to –

1. continue to promote respect for the fundamental principles and rights in all countries, regardless of prevailing social and economic conditions. increase efforts to enhance the understanding of the Declaration, especially in countries that have not yet ratified the fundamental Conventions.
2. respond to as many requests for technical assistance indicated in the reports as possible, to increase awareness of the fundamental principles and to assist the countries to respect these principles and rights fully.
3. mobilize additional external resources and support for the follow-up to the Declaration, to assist countries in their efforts.
4. concentrate its outreach efforts on countries that still owe initial reports under the Declaration follow-up.
5. increase assistance to governments in the preparation of reports, to improve their content so as to provide a more comprehensive analysis of the current situation and to identify technical cooperation needs.
6. review examples of regional integration groups that are making strides in promoting fundamental principles and rights at work, and disseminate information on the lessons that can be drawn from these experiences.
7. strengthen links in particular with the international organizations with which it has ties under article 12 of the ILO Constitution; it should use them as channels through which to encourage respect for the fundamental principles and rights in the pursuit of sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction.
8. consider moving the deadline for replies to the report forms to 1 September of each year.
9. translate the report forms into the other official languages in which they are not yet available.
10. include a covering letter specifying the information that would be most useful in providing a good insight into developments within countries, since a review of the report form is not possible at the March 2000 session of the Governing Body.

     7.     The Governing Body called on governments to –

1. view the action taken under the follow-up to the Declaration as distinct from supervisory mechanisms, accept its promotional nature and be forthcoming with information regarding the situation in their country, so as to work in closer collaboration with the ILO.
2. seek contributions from the social partners in completing their reports.
3. return reports in time to be considered in the next round of reporting.
4. submit full reports for consecutive years in order to provide good baselines for gauging further progress.

     8.    The Governing Body decided –

1. to examine a set of revised report forms;
2. to review the schedule of the Expert-Advisers’ meeting, to allow more time for discussions and for preparation by the Office.

     9.    The Governing Body urged national, regional and international workers’ and employers’ organizations to –

1. participate more actively in the follow-up;
2. use the Declaration in the promotional spirit in which it is intended at the national and international level.

(Third sitting; GB.277/3/1, paras. 22-25)

Part II:      Compilation of annual reports by the International Labour Office

     10.    The Governing Body took note of the compilation. (Third sitting; GB.277/3/2)

 

Fourth item on the agenda

Report and Conclusions of the
Ninth African Regional Meeting
(Abidjan, 8-11 December 1999)

     11.    The Governing Body requested the Director-General –

1. to draw the attention of the governments of member States of the African region and, through them, that of their national employers’ and workers’ organizations, to the conclusions adopted by the Meeting;
2. to bear the conclusions in mind in executing ongoing programmes and in preparing future programme and budget proposals;
3. to transmit the text of the conclusions —
   1. to the governments of all member States and, through them, to national employers’ and workers’ organizations;
   2. to the international organizations concerned, including the non-governmental international organizations having consultative status.

(Second sitting; GB.277/4, para. 109)

 

Fifth item on the agenda

Governing Body Symposium on Decent Work for Women –
the ILO's contribution to Women 2000:
gender equality, development and peace
for the twenty-first century
(New York, 5-9 June 2000)

     12.    The Governing Body took note of the Office papers and of an oral report by the Reporter of the symposium, Ms. Iwata (Government, Japan). (Seventh sitting; GB.277/5/1 and GB.277/5/2)

 

Sixth item on the agenda

Measures, including action under Article 33 of the Constitution of the International Labour Organization, to secure compliance by the Government of Myanmar with the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry established to examine the observance of the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29)

     13.    The Governing Body, taking into account the statements made and reservations expressed, and recalling that the continuation of dialogue with the Government of Myanmar must be based on the resolution on the widespread use of forced labour in Myanmar adopted by the International Labour Conference in 1999, and that such dialogue should deal with the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry –

1. decided to place on the agenda of the 88th Session of the Conference (May-June 2000) an item entitled: “Action recommended by the Governing Body under article 33 of the Constitution – Implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Commission of Inquiry on Forced Labour in Myanmar (Burma)”;
2. decided to submit to the International Labour Conference, at its 88th Session (2000), the following resolution:

   The Governing Body of the ILO,

   Recalling the discussions held at the 273rd, 274th and 276th Sessions of the Governing Body on the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry established under article 26 of the Constitution of the ILO to examine the observance by Myanmar of the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29),

   Noting that the Government of Myanmar has so far not complied with the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry, despite the disapproval that the gravity of the Government’s failure to act must inspire in everyone’s conscience and the imperative need to put an end to this situation by every appropriate means as soon as possible,

   Noting the provisions of article 33 of the Constitution of the ILO;

   Recommends to the International Labour Conference, meeting at its 88th Session (May-June 2000), that it adopt measures including some or all of the following:

   1. to decide that the question of the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations and of the application of Convention No. 29 by Myanmar should be discussed at future sessions of the International Labour Conference, at a sitting of the Committee on the Application of Standards specially set aside for the purpose, so long as this Member has not been shown to have fulfilled its obligations.
   2. to recommend to the Organization’s constituents as a whole – governments, employers and workers – that they: (i) review, in the light of the conclusions of the Commission of Inquiry, the relations that they may have with the member State concerned and take appropriate measures to ensure that the said Member cannot take advantage of such relations to perpetuate or extend the system of forced or compulsory labour referred to by the Commission of Inquiry, and to contribute as far as possible to the implementation of its recommendations; and (ii) report back in due course and at appropriate intervals to the Governing Body.
   3. as regards international organizations, to invite the Director-General: (i) to inform the international organizations referred to in article 12, paragraph 1, of the Constitution of the Member’s failure to comply; (ii) to call on the relevant bodies of these organizations to reconsider, within their terms of reference and in the light of the conclusions of the Commission of Inquiry, any cooperation they may be engaged in with the Member concerned and, if appropriate, to cease as soon as possible any activity that could have the effect of directly or indirectly abetting the practice of forced or compulsory labour.
   4. regarding the United Nations specifically, to invite the Director-General to request the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to place an item on the agenda of its July 2000 session concerning the failure of Myanmar to implement the recommendations contained in the report of the Commission of Inquiry and seeking the adoption of recommendations directed by ECOSOC or by the General Assembly, or by both, to governments and to other specialized agencies and including requests similar to those proposed in paragraphs (b) and (c) above.
   5. to invite the Director-General to submit to the Governing Body, in the appropriate manner and at suitable intervals, a periodic report on the outcome of the measures set out in paragraphs (c) and (d) above, and to inform the international organizations concerned of any developments in the implementation by Myanmar of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry.
3. noted  that the Conference would take its decision on the draft resolution in the light of the discussions held at this session of  the Governing Body as reflected in the report to the Conference and of any new developments.

(First sitting; GB.277/6, Add.1 and Add.2, and summary by the Chairperson)

 

Seventh item on the agenda

Consideration of the Director-General's Report on the situation of workers of the occupied Arab territories at the 88th Session (2000) of the International Labour Conference

     14.    The Governing Body decided that the consideration of the Director-General’s report on the situation of workers of the occupied Arab territories at the 88th Session (2000) of the Conference should not be undertaken in a special sitting of the Conference. (Fifth sitting; GB.277/7)

 

Eighth item on the agenda

Developments in the United Nations in 1999-2000

     15.    The Governing Body took note of the Office paper. (Seventh sitting; GB.277/8)

 

Ninth item on the agenda

Reports of the Committee on Freedom of Association

320th report

     16.    The Governing Body took note of the introduction to the report. (Fifth sitting; GB.277/9/1, paras. 1-97).

     17.    The Governing Body adopted the recommendations in paragraphs 122 (Case No. 1953: Argentina); 132 (Case No. 2029: Argentina); 142 (Case No. 2054: Argentina); 241 (Case No. 1963: Australia); 256 (Case No. 1998: Bangladesh); 285 (Case No. 2007: Bolivia); 298 (Case No. 1992: Brazil); 329 (Case No. 1989: Bulgaria); 362 (Case No. 2047: Bulgaria); 373 (Case No. 1995: Cameroon); 414 (Case No. 2025: Canada(Ontario); 429 (Case No. 2023: Cape Verde); 455 (Case No. 2044: Cape Verde); 530 (Case No. 1865: Republic of Korea); 546 (Case No. 1984: Costa Rica); 567 (Case No. 2024: Costa Rica); 597 (Case No. 2030: Costa Rica); 625 (Case No. 1961: Cuba); 634 (Case No. 2010: Ecuador); 670 (Case No. 2040: Spain); 680 (Case No. 2008: Guatemala); 698 (Case No. 2032: Guatemala); 722 (Case No. 2048: Morocco); 734 (Case No. 2013: Mexico); 746 (Case No. 2034: Nicaragua); 783 (Case No. 2057: Romania); 801 (Case No. 1959: United Kingdom/Bermuda); 817 (Case No. 2014: Uruguay); 837 (Case No. 2033: Uruguay); 851 (Case No. 1976: Zambia); and 878 (Case No. 2027: Zimbabwe) of the report. (Fifth sitting; GB.277/9/1)

 

Tenth item on the agenda

Reports of the Programme, Financial and Administrative Committee

First report: Financial and general questions

Programme and Budget for 1998-99

Regular budget account and Working
Capital Fund as at 31 December 1999
(including transfers between budget items)

     18.    The Governing Body, in accordance with article 16 of the Financial Regulations, approved the transfers between budget items listed in the appendix to the report. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/10/1, para. 5)

Programme and budget for 2000-01

Collection of contributions from
1 January 2000 to date

     19.    The Governing Body took note of this section of the report. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/10/1, paras. 6-13)

Treatment of 1998-99 cash surplus

     20.    The Governing Body decided –

1. to propose to the 88th Session (June 2000) of the International Labour Conference that, as an exceptional one-time measure and in derogation of article 18.2 of the Financial Regulations, the 1998-99 cash surplus of 41,711,581 Swiss francs (equivalent to US$27,262,471 at the 2000-01 budget rate of exchange of 1.53 Swiss francs to the US dollar) be used in part to finance the establishment of an information technology systems fund, and that it adopt a resolution in the following terms:

   The General Conference of the International Labour Organization,

   Noting that for the 1998-99 biennium an excess of regular budget income over regular budget expenditure has resulted in a cash surplus of 41,711,581 Swiss francs (equivalent to US$27,262,471 at the 2000-01 budget rate of exchange of 1.53 Swiss francs to the US dollar);

   Decides, as an exceptional one-time measure and in derogation of article 18.2 of the Financial Regulations, to finance the establishment of an information technology systems fund in an amount of 38,250,000 Swiss francs (US$25 million) from the cash surplus;

   Notes that, taking into account the above appropriation, the amount available under article 18.2 of the Financial Regulations for reducing the assessed contributions of member States will be 3,461,581 Swiss francs.
    

2. subject to the decision of the International Labour Conference on the treatment of the 1998-99 cash surplus, the Governing Body:
   
   1. approved the establishment in a special account of an information technology systems fund with an initial capital of 38,250,000 Swiss francs;
   2. approved the upgrading of the ILO’s financial systems, which would be financed to the extent of US$20 million from the information technology systems fund.

(Eighth sitting; GB.277/10/1, para. 46)

Progress report on strategic budgeting

     21.    The Governing Body took note of this section of the report. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/10/1, paras. 47-66)

Follow-up action on the report of the Chief Internal Auditor for the year ended 31 December 1998

Report of the Chief Internal Auditor for the year ended 31 December 1999

     22.    The Governing Body took note of these sections of the report. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/10/1, paras. 67-85)

Delegation of authority under article 18
of the Standing Orders of the International Labour Conference

     23.    The Governing Body delegated to its Officers, for the period of the 88th Session (June 2000) of the Conference, the authority to carry out its responsibilities under article 18 of the Standing Orders of the Conference in relation to proposals involving expenditure in the 67th financial period ending 31 December 2001. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/10/1, para. 90)

Other financial and general questions

(a)  Review of management and administration in the ILO
      by the Joint Inspection Unit

     24.    The Governing Body took note of this section of the report. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/10/1, paras. 91-122)

(b)  Follow-up on the reports of the Joint Inspection Unit

     25.    The Governing Body agreed that the JIU proposals concerning follow-up on its reports be implemented by the Office in the manner indicated in document GB.277/PFA/7/2. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/10/1, para. 139)

(c)  Governing Body representation at the Special Session of the General Assembly
      entitled “World Summit for Social Development and Beyond:
      Achieving social development for all in a globalizing world”

     26.    The Governing Body decided that the cost of a tripartite delegation to accompany the Director-General at the Special Session of the General Assembly,^[1] estimated at a maximum of US$16,000, be financed from savings under Part I of the budget. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/10/1, para. 144)

(d)  Financial arrangements for a tripartite monitoring and evaluation review of
      technical cooperation in 2000-01

     27.    The Governing Body decided that the cost of the review in the 2000-01 biennium,^[2] estimated at some US$54,000, be financed from savings in Part I of the budget. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/10/1(Add. & Corr.), para. 2)

Second report: Personnel questions

Introduction

I.     Statement by the staff representative

II.    Composition and structure of the staff

III.   Decisions of the United Nations General Assembly on the report of the
       International Civil Service Commission

     28.    The Governing Body took note of these sections of the report. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/10/2, paras. 1-15)

IV.   ILO human resources strategy

     29.    The Governing Body noted the progress made in implementing the human resources strategy and endorsed the approach described in paragraphs 10 to 19 of document GB.277/PFA/10. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/10/2, para. 49)

V.    Work and well-being: Work and family responsibilities in the ILO

     30.    The Governing Body decided that, should the Office decide to participate in the crèche proposed to be established and operated by the Association Crèche Scoubidou, the funding would be provided from the provision in the Programme and Budget for 2000-01 for this purpose, and that an additional Sw.frs.70,000 would be financed in the first instance from savings in Part I of the budget, on the understanding that, should this subsequently prove impossible, the Director-General would propose alternative methods of financing at a later stage in the biennium. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/10/2, para. 71)

VI.   Pensions questions

     31.    The Governing Body took note of this section of the report. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/10/2, para. 72)

VII.  Matters relating to the Administrative Tribunal
of the ILO

     32.    The Governing Body requested the Office to convey to Mr. Barberis its appreciation for the services that he had rendered to the work of the Administrative Tribunal over the last five years. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/10(Add. & Corr.), para. 4)

     33.    The Governing Body took note that, as regards the second vacant post, due to the date at which he was informed of Mr. Barberis’ resignation, the Director-General had been unable to carry out a search that would allow it, in accordance with the usual practice, to propose a candidate to the Conference to fill the vacant post. The Governing Body accordingly authorized its Officers to submit a proposal on its behalf direct to the Conference in order to fill the vacancy left by Mr. Barberis. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/10(Add. & Corr.), para. 5)

     34.    The Governing Body decided to submit to the International Labour Conference, for adoption at its forthcoming session, the following resolution:

The General Conference of the International Labour Organization,

Decides, in accordance with Article III of the Statute of the Administrative Tribunal of the International Labour Organization, to renew the appointment of Mr. Seydou Ba (Senegal) and that of Mr. James K. Hugessen (Canada) for a term of three years;

Expresses its appreciation to Mr. Julio Barberis for the services which he has rendered to the work of the Administrative Tribunal of the International Labour Organization over the last five years;

Decides, in accordance with Article III of the Statute of the Administrative Tribunal of the International Labour Organization, to appoint as Judges of the ILO Administrative Tribunal for a term of three years with effect from July 2000, Ms. Flerida Ruth P. Romero and [name of candidate to be directly submitted by the Officers of the Governing Body].

(Eighth sitting; GB.277/10(Add. & Corr.), para. 6)

 

Report of the Government members of the Programme,
Financial and Administrative Committee on allocations matters

Assessment of the contributions of new member States

     35.    The Governing Body decided, in accordance with the established practice of harmonizing the rates of assessment of ILO member States with their rates of assessment in the United Nations, to propose to the Conference that the contribution of the Republic of Kiribati to the ILO budget for the period of its membership in the Organization in 2000 be based on an annual assessment rate of 0.001 per cent. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/10/3, para. 3)

Scale of assessment of contributions to the budget for 2001

     36.    The Governing Body decided that the adoption of the scale of assessments for 2001 should be deferred to the 88th Session of the International Labour Conference and that the Government members of the Programme, Financial and Administrative Committee should meet by delegation of the Governing Body to prepare a draft scale of assessments for 2001 during the Conference, taking into account any relevant developments which may take place and to submit it direct to the Finance Committee of Government representatives at the Conference. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/10/3, para. 21)

Procedure for the possible continuation of the work of the Government members
of the Programme, Financial and Administrative Committee in relation to allocations
matters during the International Labour Conference

     37.    The Governing Body authorized the Government members of the Programme, Financial and Administrative Committee to continue their work, if necessary, after the Governing Body had concluded its work at its 277th Session and to submit their report direct to the Finance Committee of Government representatives at the Conference. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/10/3, para. 23)

 

Eleventh item on the agenda

Reports of the Committee on Legal Issues and International Labour Standards

First report: Legal issues

I.     Revision of the procedure for the examination of representations submitted under article 24 of the Constitution

     38.    The Governing Body took note that, in the absence of any consensus regarding changes to the representation procedure, discussion on the question was postponed until a later session. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/11/1, para. 18)

II.    Possible improvements in the standard-setting activities of the ILO: The role of standards in the achievement of the ILO’s objectives

     39.    Taking into account the acknowledged importance of the issue, the Governing Body –

1. postponed discussion on improvements in standard-setting activities until its 279th Session in November 2000;
2. requested the Director-General to submit a document to the Governing Body in November 2000 reflecting the discussions within the Committee and the Governing Body and any consultations that had taken place.

(Eighth sitting; GB.277/11/1, para. 45)

Second report: International labour standards and human rights

I.     Report of the Working Party on Policy regarding the Revision of Standards

     40.    The Governing Body –

1. took note of the report of the Working Party on Policy regarding the Revision of Standards in Appendix I to the report and of the opinions expressed by the Committee during its meeting;
2. approved the recommendations contained in the corresponding paragraphs of the report on which there was consensus within the Working Party and the Committee.

(Fifth sitting; GB.277/11/2, para. 8)

II.    Standard-setting policy: Ratification and promotion of fundamental ILO Conventions

III.   General status report on ILO action concerning discrimination in employment and occupation

     41.    The Governing Body took note of these sections of the report. (Fifth sitting; GB.277/11/2, paras. 9-32)

IV.   Form for reports on unratified Conventions (article 19 of the Constitution):
       Dock Work Convention, 1973 (No. 137) and Recommendation (No. 145), 1973

     42.    The Governing Body adopted the draft report form included in Appendix II to the report, relating to the Dock Work Convention, 1973 (No. 137), and Recommendation (No. 145), 1973. (Fifth sitting; GB.277/11/2, para. 36)

 

Twelfth item on the agenda

Report of the Subcommittee on Multinational Enterprises

Follow-up on and promotion of the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy: Promotional activities, technical advisory services, completed studies and current research by the Office

Developments in other organizations

     43.    The Governing Body took note of these sections of the report. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/12, paras. 1-35)

Updating of references to Conventions and Recommendations annexed to the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy

     44.    With a view to cementing the relationship between the ILO’s Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy and the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the Governing Body adopted the following addendum:

Addendum to the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning
Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, adopted by the Governing Body
at its 277th Session (Geneva, March 2000)

The International Labour Conference adopted in June 1998 the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. By this adoption, Members renewed their commitment to respect, promote and realize the following fundamental principles and rights at work, namely: (a) freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; (b) the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour; (c) the effective abolition of child labour; and (d) the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation. The ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work applies to all Members. Nevertheless, the contribution of multinational enterprises to its implementation can prove an important element in the attainment of its objectives. In this context, the interpretation and application of the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy should fully take into account the objectives of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

This reference does not in any way affect the voluntary character or the meaning of the provisions of the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy.

(Eighth sitting; GB.277/12, para. 61)

Other business

     45.    The Governing Body took note of this section of the report. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/12, paras. 62-66)

 

Thirteenth item on the agenda

Report of the Committee on Employment and Social Policy

I.     Employment and social protection in the informal sector

II.    ILO strategy and activities on employment and social concerns in crisis situations

     46.    The Governing Body took note of these sections of the report. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/13, paras. 1-55)

III.   Preparations for the Special Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations:
      World Summit for Social Development and Beyond – Achieving Social Development
      for All in a Globalized World

     47.    The Governing Body took note of the overall ILO contribution to the preparatory process, in particular the document entitled Decent Work and Poverty Reduction in the Global Economy, submitted by the Director-General to the Second Session of the Preparatory Committee.

     48.    The Governing Body appointed a tripartite delegation, consisting of one member from each group, to accompany the Director-General as part of the ILO delegation to the Special Session of the General Assembly.^[3]

     49.    The Governing Body decided that, without excluding consideration of the matter in other organs of the Governing Body, an item concerning the outcome of the Special Session should be included on the agenda of the Committee on Employment and Social Policy at the Governing Body’s 279th Session (November 2000).

(Eighth sitting; GB.277/13, paras. 75-77 and statement by Lord Brett)

 

Fourteenth item on the agenda

Report of the Committee on Sectoral and
Technical Meetings and Related Issues

Introduction

I.     Review of the Sectoral Activities Programme

II.    Follow-up activities on sectoral meetings held in 1998-99

     50.    The Governing Body took note of these sections of the report. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/14, paras. 1-37)

III.   Effect to be given to the recommendations of sectoral meetings

(a)   Symposium on the Social and Labour Consequences of Technological
       Developments, Deregulation and Privatization of Transport
       (Geneva, 20-24 September 1999)

     51.    The Governing Body –

1. authorized the Director-General to communicate the report:
   1. to governments, requesting them to communicate the texts to the employers' and workers' organizations concerned;
   2. to the international employers' and workers' organizations concerned;
   3. to the international organizations concerned;
2. requested the Director-General to bear in mind, when drawing up proposals for the future work of the Office, the wishes expressed by the Symposium in paragraphs 1 to 15 of the conclusions.

(Eighth sitting; GB.277/14, para. 41)

(b)   Tripartite Meeting on the Human Resource Implications
        of Globalization and Restructuring in Commerce
        (Geneva, 25-29 October 1999)

     52.    The Governing Body –

1. authorized the Director-General to communicate the Note on the proceedings:
   1. to governments, requesting them to communicate these texts to the employers' and workers' organizations concerned;
   2. to the international employers' and workers' organizations concerned;
   3. to the international organizations concerned;
2. requested the Director-General to bear in mind, when drawing up proposals for the future work of the Office, the wishes expressed by the Meeting in paragraphs 16 and 22 of the conclusions and the relevant part of the resolution.

(Eighth sitting; GB.277/14, para. 46)

(c)   Tripartite Meeting on Safety and Health in the
        Fishing Industry
       (Geneva, 13-17 December 1999)

     53.    The Governing Body –

1. authorized the Director-General to communicate the Note on the proceedings:
   1. to governments, requesting them to communicate these texts to the employers' and workers' organizations concerned;
   2. to the international employers' and workers' organizations concerned;
   3. to the international organizations concerned;
2. requested the Director-General to bear in mind, when drawing up proposals for the future work of the Office, the wishes expressed by the Meeting in paragraphs 23 to 27 of the conclusions, paragraph 21 of the report of the Working Party on Policy regarding the Revision of Standards as appended to the conclusions, and the relevant parts of the resolution.

(Eighth sitting; GB.277/14, para. 51)

IV.  Report of the Meeting of the Joint IMO/ILO Ad Hoc Expert Working Group
       on Liability and Compensation regarding Claims for Death,
       Personal Injury and Abandonment of Seafarers
       (London, 11-15 October 1999)

     54.    The Governing Body took note of the report of the Working Group and approved its recommendations.

(Eighth sitting; GB.277/14, para. 57)

V.   Report of the International Symposium on Trade Unions and the Informal Sector
       (Geneva, 18-22 October 1999)

     55.    The Governing Body took note of the report and requested the Director-General to take the recommendations into account in implementing future programmes of activity, while noting the reservations expressed. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/14, para. 62)

VI.  Report of the Meeting of Experts on Safety in the Use of Insulation Wools
      (Geneva, 17-26 January 2000)

     56.    The Governing Body –

1. took note of the report of the Meeting of Experts on Safety in the Use of Insulation Wools, and authorized the Director-General to publish and distribute the report and the Code of practice on safety in the use of synthetic vitreous fibre insulation wools (glass wool, rock wool, slag wool):
   1. to governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations;
   2. to the international employers’ and workers’ organizations concerned;
   3. to international organizations;
   4. to others as appropriate.
2. requested the Director-General to bear in mind, when drawing up proposals for the future programme and budget, the recommendations made by the meeting in paragraphs 41 to 43 of its report.

(Eighth sitting; GB.277/14, para. 67)

VII.  Other questions

Report of the Second Session of the Joint FAO/ILO/IMO Working Group on
Fishermen’s Training and Certification
(London, 18-22 January 1999)

     57.    The Governing Body –

1. took note of the report of the second session of the Joint FAO/ILO/IMO Working Group on Fishermen’s Training;
2. authorized the Director-General to consult with the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization and the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on the publication, as soon as possible, of the revised Document for Guidance on the Training and Certification of Fishermen under the new title of “Document for Guidance on the Training and Certification of Fishing Vessel Personnel”.

   (Eighth sitting; GB.277/14, para. 71)

 

Fifteenth item on the agenda

Report of the Committee on Technical Cooperation

ILO projects and programmes concerning occupational safety and health:
A thematic evaluation

     58.    The Governing Body took note of this section of the report. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/15, paras. 3-39)

Monitoring and evaluation: Report of the meeting of the
Officers of the Committee and follow-up activities

     59.    The Governing Body –

1. approved^[4] the proposal to conduct two on-the-spot reviews of field activities in each year of the 2000-01 biennium, which would be undertaken in conjunction with a regional or other meeting. Each review would be conducted by three members of the Governing Body, one from each group, who would be participating in the regional or other meeting, from the regions concerned. Reviews would be carried out in Europe and the Americas in 2000 and in Africa and Asia in 2001. The reports of the four reviews would be consolidated during a two-day meeting in Geneva of the members of all four review teams immediately before the 282nd Session (November 2001) of the Governing Body;
2. approved the establishment of a Working Group of the Committee on Technical Cooperation to examine the involvement of the Governing Body in such activities beyond the present biennium.

(Eighth sitting; GB.277/15, para. 63)

Other questions

     60.    The Governing Body took note of this section of the report. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/15, paras. 64-70)

 

Sixteenth item on the agenda

Report of the Working Party on the Social Dimensions of the Liberalization of International Trade

     61.    The Governing Body took note of an oral report by the Chairperson of the Working Party. In particular, it approved the change of the title of the Working Party to “Working Party on the Social Dimension of Globalization” and decided that the range of problems discussed by the Working Party would continue to extend beyond the liberalization of trade, as was already the case. (Eighth sitting; oral report by the Chairperson of the Working Party reproduced in GB.277/16)

 

Seventeenth item on the agenda

Report of the Director-General

I.     Progress in international labour legislation

II.    Internal administration

III.   Publications and documents

     62.    The Governing Body took note of the report. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/17)

IV.  Obituary

     63.    The Governing Body requested the Director-General to convey its sympathy to the family of Gerd Muhr and to the German Confederation of Trade Unions. (First sitting; GB.277/17(Add.1) para. 7)

First Supplementary Report:
Report of the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations
(Geneva, 25 November-10 December 1999)

     64.    The Governing Body took note of the report. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/17/1)

Second Supplementary Report:
Replacement of a member of a committee set up to examine a
representation submitted under article 24 of the ILO Constitution

     65.    The Governing Body appointed a replacement member of the committee it had set up at its 273rd Session (November 1998) to examine a representation alleging non-observance by Ethiopia of the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) and the Termination of Employment Convention, 1982 (No. 158) made under article 24 of the ILO Constitution by the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers (NCEW). (Sixth [private] sitting; GB.277/17/2, para. 2)

Third Supplementary Report:
Activities of the International Occupational Safety and
Health Information Centre (CIS) in 1998-99

     66.    The Governing Body took note of the report. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/17/3)

Fourth Supplementary Report:
Appointment of an Executive Director

     67.    The Governing Body took note of the appointment of Mr. Assane Diop as an Executive Director with the grade of Assistant Director-General, with effect from 15 April 2000. (First sitting; GB.277/17/4, para. 2)

Fifth Supplementary Report: Report of the Committee set up
to examine the representation alleging non-observance by
Chile of the Old-Age Insurance (Industry, etc.) Convention,
1933 (No. 35), the Old-Age Insurance (Agriculture)
Convention, 1933 (No. 36), the Invalidity Insurance (Industry,
etc.) Convention, 1933 (No. 37), and the Invalidity Insurance
(Agriculture) Convention, 1933 (No. 38), made under article 24
of the ILO Constitution by certain national workers’ unions
of the private sector pension funds (AFPs)

     68.    The Governing Body adopted the recommendations in the report and declared closed the procedure initiated before the Governing Body as a result of the representation. (Sixth [private] sitting; GB.277/17/5, para. 36)

Sixth Supplementary Report:
Representation alleging non-observance by Ethiopia of the
Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention,
1958 (No. 111) and the Termination of Employment
Convention, 1982 (No. 158) made under article 24 of the ILO
Constitution by the National Confederation of Eritrean
Workers (NCEW): Interim report

     69.    The Governing Body adopted the recommendations in the interim report. (Sixth [private] sitting; GB.277/17/6, para. 18)

 

Eighteenth item on the agenda

Reports of the Officers of the Governing Body

First report: Representation alleging non-observance by
Colombia of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention,
1989 (No. 169), made under article 24 of the ILO Constitution
by the Central Unitary Workers’ Union (CUT) and the Colombian
Medical Trade Union Association (ASMEDAS)

     70.    The Governing Body decided that the representation was receivable, and appointed a committee to examine it. (Sixth [private] sitting; GB.277/18/1, para. 5)

Second report: Representation alleging non-observance by
the Czech Republic of the Protection of Wages Convention,
1949 (No. 95), made under article 24 of the ILO Constitution
by the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions
(CMKOS)

    71.    The Governing Body took note that the representation had been withdrawn. (Sixth [private] sitting; GB.277/18/2, announcement by the Chairperson)

Third report: Representation alleging non-observance by
Denmark of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention,
1989 (No. 169), made under article 24 of the ILO Constitution
by the Sulinermik Inuussutissarsiuteqartut Kattuffiat (SIK)

     72.    The Governing Body decided that the representation was receivable, and appointed a committee to examine it. (Sixth [private] sitting; GB.277/18/3, para. 5)

Fourth report: Representation alleging non-observance by
Ecuador of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention,
1989 (No. 169), made under article 24 of the ILO Constitution
by the Confederación Ecuatoriana de Organizaciones
Sindicales Libres (CEOSL)

     73.    The Governing Body decided that the representation was receivable, and appointed a committee to examine it. (Sixth [private] sitting; GB.277/18/4, para. 6)

Fifth report: Representation alleging non-observance by
Turkey of the Termination of Employment Convention, 1982
(No. 158), made under article 24 of the ILO Constitution by
the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (TÜRK-IS)

     74.    The Governing Body decided that the representation was receivable, and appointed a committee to examine it. (Sixth [private] sitting; GB.277/18/5, para. 5)

 

Nineteenth item on the agenda

Composition and agenda of standing bodies
and meetings

Meeting of Experts on Workers in Situations Needing Protection
(Geneva, 15-19 May 2000)

     75.    The Governing Body approved the following nominations:

Nominations made after consultations with governments

Dr. Enrique Espínola Vera (Argentina), Subsecretario de Relaciones Laborales del Ministerio de Trabajo, Empleo y Formación de Recursos Humanos;

Sr. P. Novoa Fuenzálida (Chile), Abogado, Ministerio de Trabajo y Previsión Social;

M. G. Nadeau (Canada), Legal Adviser, Quebec Department of Labour;

M. Z.A. Flavien (Cameroun), Sous-Directeur de la Réglementation du Travail et de la Coopération Internationale, Ministère de l'Emploi, du Travail et de la Prévoyance Sociale;

M. J.-M. Crandal (France), Chef du Bureau de l'évolution des entreprises et de diverses formes d'emploi, Direction des relations du travail;

Mr. H.-P. Viethen (Germany), Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Sozialordnung;

Dr. L.D. Mishra (India), Secretary, Ministry of Labour;

Ms. M. Kondo (Japan), Section Chief for the ILO, International Affairs Division, Ministry of Labour;

Mr. J. Lemme (The Netherlands), Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment;

Mr. B.E.R. Bitonio Jr. (Philippines), OIC Assistant Secretary, Department of Labour and Employment;

Mr. P. Benjamin (South Africa), Senior Partner, Cheadle, Thomson & Haysom Attorneys;

Ms. M. Johnson (Sweden), Legal Adviser at the National Institute for Working Life.

Nominations made after consultations with the Employers’ group

Mr. R. Hamilton (Australia) Manager, Industrial Relations, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI)

Mr. C.K. Hyder (Bangladesh), Secretary-General, Bangladesh Employers’ Federation (BEF)

Mr. A. Finlay (Canada), Senior Counsellor, Bank of Nova Scotia’s Employment Law Group

Sr. F. Díaz Garaycoa (Ecuador), Federación Nacional de Cámaras de Industrias del Ecuador

M. O. Drague (France), Conseiller, Union des Industries Métallurgiques et Minières (UIMM)

Mr. T. Makeka (Lesotho), Executive Director, Association of Lesotho Employers (ALE)

Mr. A. Mallia-Milanes (Malta), Director-General, Malta Employers’ Association (MEA)

Mr. J.W. Botha (South Africa), Adviser, Business South Africa (BSA)

Sr. R. Suárez García (Spain), Secretario General, Federación Leonesa de Empresarios (FELE)

Mr. K. Brorsson (Sweden), Director, Labour Law Department, Swedish Employers’ Confederation (SAF)

Mr. C. Piggott (United Kingdom), Solicitor, Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

Mr. J. F. Vella (United States), Vice-President, Federated Department Stores.

Substitutes

Sr. H. Villa Restrepo (Colombia), Abogado, Asesoría Legal Integral Villa Asociados

M. A. Matenda Kyelu (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Administrateur Délégué, Fédération des Entreprises du Congo (FEC)

Ms. J. Kulušic (Croatia), Head of Regional Office, Croatian Employers’ Association

Mr. H. Hietala (Finland), Director-General, Master of Laws Employers’ Association Allianssi

M. J. Aboughe Obame (Gabon), Chargé, Relations Organisations Internationales, Confédération Patronale Gabonaise (CPG)

Mrs. R. Karikari Annang (Ghana), Chief of Personnel & Administration, Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority

Mr. L. Hakim (Indonesia), Member, National Industrial Relations and Labour Dispute Settlement Board

Mr. M. Vivekanandan (Malaysia), Consultant, Industrial Relations, Malaysian Employers’ Federation (MEF)

Mr. L. Wong Moi Sang (Mauritius), Environmental & Industrial Relations Adviser, Mauritius Employers’ Federation (MEF)

Mr. D. Jantsan (Mongolia), Vice-President, Mongolian Employers’ Federation

Mme A. Stitou Daoudi (Morocco), Directrice, Ressources Humaines, Lafarge Maroc

Mr. P.O. Amaechi (Nigeria), Adviser, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association

Mr. A.H. Haidri (Pakistan), General Manager, Employee Relations, Reckit & Colman Pakistan Ltd

Mr. B. Çubukçu (Turkey), Deputy Secretary-General, Cement Producers Employers’ Association of Turkey

Sr. E. J. Ameglio (Uruguay), Estudio Guyer & Regules

Sr. A. Guevara (Venezuela), Federación de Cámaras y Asociaciones de Venezuela (FEDECÁMARAS).

(Eighth sitting; GB.277/19, paras. 2-3)

Sixth European Regional Meeting
(Geneva, 12-15 December 2000)

     76.    The Governing Body authorized the Director-General to invite the International Movement ATD Fourth World to be represented by an observer at the meeting. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/19, paras. 4-5)

Tripartite Meeting of Experts on the
Management of Disability at the Workplace
(Geneva, October 2001)

     77.    The Governing Body approved the following agenda for the meeting: Examination and adoption of a Code of Practice on Management of Disability-related Issues in the Workplace.

     78.    The Governing Body decided that the meeting should be attended by nine experts nominated after consultations with governments, nine experts after consultations with the Employers’ group of the Governing Body and nine experts after consultations with the Workers' group of the Governing Body.

(Eighth sitting; GB.277/19, paras. 8-11)

Meeting of Experts on Labour Statistics
(Geneva, October 2001)

     79.    The Governing Body approved the following agenda for the meeting:

1. Consumer price indices.
2. Household income and expenditure statistics.

     80.    The Governing Body decided that the meeting should be attended by fourteen experts nominated after consultations with governments, seven after consultations with the Employers’ group, and seven after consultations with the Workers' group of the Governing Body. The experts nominated should be well acquainted with the items on the agenda.

     81.    The Governing Body took note that, in order to obtain the government nominations, the Director-General intends to approach the Governments of fourteen countries, the list of which would be communicated at a later stage.

     82.    The Governing Body took note that the Director-General intended to invite the following organizations to be represented at the meeting:

• United Nations Statistical Division (UNSD)
• United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
• United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE)
• United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
• United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)
• Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
• Statistical Office of the European Communities (EUROSTAT)
• Interstate Statistical Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
• Observatoire économique et statistiques d’Afrique subsaharienne (AFRISTAT)
• International Monetary Fund (IMF)
• World Bank.

(Eighth sitting; GB.277/19, paras. 14-19)

Appointment of Governing Body representatives on various bodies

Tripartite Meeting on Moving to Sustainable Agricultural
Development through the Modernization of Agriculture
and Employment in a Globalized Economy
(Geneva, 18-22 September 2000)

     83.    The Governing Body appointed Mr. Schlettwein (Government, Namibia) as its representative to chair the meeting. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/19, para. 20)

Tripartite Meeting on Labour Practices in the Footwear,
Leather, Textiles and Clothing Industries
(Geneva, 16-20 October 2000)

     84.    The Governing Body appointed Ms. Sasso Mazzufferi (Employer member) as its representative to chair the meeting. (Eighth sitting; GB.277/19, para. 21)

Matters on which the Officers of the Governing Body
took decisions on its behalf

Programme of meetings for 2000-01

     85.    The Officers of the Governing Body approved the programme of meetings for 2000-01 as set out in document GB.277/Inf.1.

Symposia, seminars and similar meetings

     86.    The Officers of the Governing Body approved proposals for a number of symposia, seminars and similar meetings, as set out in document GB.277/Inf.2.

Requests from non-governmental international
organizations wishing to be represented at the 88th (2000)
Session of the International Labour Conference

     87.    The Officers of the Governing Body authorized the Director-General –

1. to invite the organizations listed below to be represented at the 88th Session (2000) of the International Labour Conference, it being understood that it would be for the Selection Committee of the Conference to consider their requests to participate in the work of the Committees dealing with the agenda items in which they have stated a special interest;
2. to inform the organizations concerned that they may nominate one person only for each of the agenda items in respect of which their interest was recognized.

Employers’ organizations

General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab Countries

International Christian Union of Business Executives

Workers’ organizations

African Organisation of Mines, Metal, Energy, Chemical and Allied Trade Unions

Arab Federation of Employees in Banking, Insurance and Finance

Commonwealth Trade Union Council

Education International

European Confederation of Independent Trade Unions

International Confederation of Arab Trade Unions

International Confederation of Executive Staff

International Confederation of Public Service Officers

International Energy and Mines Organisation

International Entertainment Alliance

International Federation of Building and Wood Workers

International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mines and General Workers’ Unions

International Federation of Employees in Public Services

International Metalworkers’ Federation

International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation

International Transport Workers’ Federation

International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations

Latin American Central of Workers

Permanent Congress of Trade Union Unity of Latin American Workers

Public Services International

Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD

Trade Unions Federation of Workers of Food, Tobacco and Tourism Industries in Maghreb Countries

Union Network International

World Confederation of Teachers

World Federation of Agriculture, Food, Hotel and Allied Workers

World Federation of Industry Workers

World Federation of Scientific Workers

World Federation of Teachers’ Unions

Other organizations

American Association of Jurists

Amnesty International

Andean Labour Institute

International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance

International Association for Professionals in Employment Security

International Centre for Trade Union Rights

International Construction Institute

International Federation of Civil Servants’ Associations

International Federation of Training and Development Organisations

International Federation Terre des Hommes

International Head College of Experts

International Movement ATD Fourth World

International Occupation Hygiene Association

International Safety Council

International Women Count Network

International Young Christian Workers

Soroptimist International

World Alliance of Young Men’s Christian Associations

World Association of Public Employment Services

World Federation of United Nations Associations

World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations

World Young Women’s Christian Association

Zonta International

(Communicated to the Governing Body in GB.277/Inf.3)

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[1] See below, para. 48.

[2] See below, para. 59(a).

[3] For financial details, see above, para. 26.

[4] For financial details, see above, para. 27.

Updated by HK. Approved by NdW. Last Updated 19 June 2000.

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