for a Fair GlobalizationILO Declaration on Social Justice

The International Labour Organization1919-2009

Summary of main provisions and key messages

The Challenge: Globalization is reshaping the world of work

• On one hand, globalization has helped a number of countries…– Benefit from high rates of economic growth and employment

creation– Absorb many of the rural poor into

the modern urban economy– Advance their developmental

goals– Foster innovation in

product development and the circulation of ideas

The Challenge: Globalization is reshaping the world of work

• On the other hand, globalization has caused…– Many countries and sectors to face major challenges of income

inequality– Continuing high levels of unemployment and poverty– Vulnerability of economies to external

shocks– The growth of both unprotected

work and the informal economy,

which impacts on the

employment relationship

and the protections it

can offer

Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization

• The Declaration and its follow-up were adopted by the International Labour Conference in June 2008

• Outcome of a long process of tripartite consultations– Governments, workers and employers

• Follows on from the conclusions and recommendations of the World Commission on the Social Dimension of

Globalization (2004)

Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization

• Purpose: To strengthen the ILO’s capacity to promote its Decent Work Agenda and forge an effective response to the growing challenges of globalization

• Signals major change towards balanced economic and social policies

How the Declaration Responds

• Calls for a new strategy to sustain open economies and open societies based on…– Social justice– Full and productive employment– Sustainable enterprises– Social cohesion

• Acknowledges the benefits of globalization but calls for renewed efforts to implement decent work policies as the means to achieve improved and fair outcomes for all

How the Declaration Responds

• Asks the ILO to invite other international and regional organizations to promote decent work

• Gives ILO constituents a key responsibility to contribute to the realization of a global and integrated

strategy for the implementation

of the Decent Work Agenda

Key elements of the Declaration

• A renewed commitment to the ILO’s mandate• Links social justice to fair globalization• Builds on the ILO’s Declaration of Philadelphia (1944) and the

Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998)

• Confirms the universality of the Decent Work Agenda

• Contributes to the social justice agenda in the wider United Nations

• Includes outreach to IGOs and NGOs

Declaration scope and principles

• Defines the key role of the ILO to help its members to face the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities of globalization

• Identifies the need to strengthen the ILO’s capacity to assist its members

Declaration scope and principles

• Establishes a new foundation for supporting ILO constituents in promoting and achieving progress and social justice through the ILO’s four strategic objectives and the Decent Work Agenda– Employment– Social Protection– Social Dialogue– Rights at Work

Declaration scope and principles

• The added value hinges on the following principles:– The universality of the ILO objectives

• The recognition that the objectives should be promoted by all

– The interdependence between the four strategic objectives

• They are “inseparable, interrelated and mutually supportive”

• Failure to promote any one of them will hinder progress towards the others

• International labour standards apply to all strategic objectives

and are a means to

achieve them

Declaration scope and principles

• Complemented by two equally important principles:– How the objectives are achieved is a question to be determined

by the members themselves, in relation to their national circumstances and priorities.

– Solidarity and cooperation among all members of the ILO are more relevant than ever for the achievement of the objectives.

Method for implementing the Declaration

• Demands an integrated approach by:– The Organization as a whole– Members– The Office (Secretariat)

• Ownership by constituents and strong commitment by the Office are key to its successful implementation

Implementation: What the ILO will do

• Review and adapt its institutional practices– Recurring items on the ILC agenda on each of the strategic

objectives– Sharing of experiences on the synergies between the strategic

objectives through tripartite discussion– Strengthening and streamlining technical

cooperation and expert advice– Assistance to members who promote ILO

objectives in bilateral or multilateral agreements

– New partnerships with non-state entities and economic actors

The ILC: Recurring agenda items

• “To better understand its members’ needs”– Trends and developments relating to each strategic objective– Review of ILO action– Strengthen the link between needs

of members and action taken by the Organization to respond to those needs

– Set priorities for the Governing Body and guide the Office

Implementation: What member States may do

• Subject to national needs and priorities, member States may:– Adopt national or regional strategies for decent work – Establish indicators or statistics– Promote sustainable enterprises– Review ratification/implementation of ILO

instruments– Ensure policy coherence in international

forums– Share national/regional good

practices– Provide appropriate support to

other members

Annex: Declaration Follow-up

• How “to make the fullest possible use of all the means of action provided under the Constitution of the ILO to fulfill its mandate.”– Coherence, coordination and collaboration– Efficient and effective use of resources– Improved competencies and knowledge base– Strengthened technical cooperation– Effective partnerships (UN and

multilateral system)– Promote and update the ILO “governance”

standards– Country studies/peer reviews

The way forward

• Implementation plan adopted at March 2009 meeting of the ILO Governing Body– A comprehensive overview of all proposed actions– New working methods across the Office: collaboration and

coherence– Support for constituents’ efforts to achieve the objectives of the

Declaration

What they say about the Declaration

“What we now have is a compass” for the ILO and its members. It is now up to all of us to shape the future while the Declaration and the Resolution show us the way to take.”

Jean-Jacques Elmiger, Chairperson of the Committee on Strengthening the ILO’s Capacity

“[The Declaration] addresses the big themes that will certainly resonate with the contemporary concerns of societies, workers, entrepreneurs and governments, and, we hope, also anticipate the emerging issues of the future. .”

Ebrahim Patel, Worker Vice Chair of the Committee

“With this Declaration, the Organization is equipped with the best tool it has ever had to change so as to meet the challenges of globalization.”

Emmanuel Julien, Employer Vice Chair of the Committee

The Declaration:

A response to the challenges of the global crisis and to the call for a fair globalization