International Labour Movement, the ILO & ACTRAV Programme for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV) International Training Center of ILO

Objectives of this Session We will discuss: 1.Origins of the Labour Movement 2.Structure of Int’l Labour Movement 2.ILO: Principles, Goals, Structure & Functions 2.Role of ACTRAV (Bureau for Workers’ Activities) 3.Current Issues Before ACTRAV

Origins of the TU Movement  UK (1770 – 1850) – from agriculture to industry, Textiles, Coal and later Railways after 1847  Exploitative work conditions – workers organising illegal (Combination Acts of 1799) – Tolpuddle Martyrs, Crafts Organisations & Unions, GNCTU (1834), Chartist movement -NCA (1840)

Origins of the TU Movement  Post 1850s – Unions grew, Voting Rights achieved (1867), TUC estd 1868, Unions legalised by 1871 TU Act, in 1875, Employer & Workmen Act, Factory Act in 1874  In continental Europe- Socialist movement gave rise to unions from 1880s onwards.

Origins of the TU Movement  Japan: labour unions started in late 19 th C by social reformers; conditions bad – high mobility, union memberships fluctuated, till 1945, no legal protection; US influence; enterprise family concept (welfare, steady (life time) employment, loyalty);

Origins of the TU Movement  South Asia: TUs illegal till late 19 th C; 1 st formal TU in 1905 (textiles in India) – TUs linked to independence struggle & political parties later  Post 1 st World War – emergence of International Labour Movement

Women Workers & TUs  Women contributed to industrial revolution – textiles, coal mines, laundry, offices  But women not well represented; Crafts Unions excluded them mostly;  Efforts to organise women came from outside the labour movement - philanthropists;  1874 : Women's Protective and Provident League formed in UK (later called Women's Trade Union League, 1903)

Why International Movement? Solidarity & Unity - the source of strength for workers Solidarity & Unity - the source of strength for workers To ensure promotion of labour standards globally To ensure promotion of labour standards globally Response to Globalization Response to Globalization Need to create a global voice of workers

Globally: Current Structure WCL World Confederation of Labour [1920 & 1968] WCL World Confederation of Labour [1920 & 1968] WFTU World Federation of Trade Unions [1945]WFTU [1945] GUFs Global Union Federations GUFs ICFTU International Confederation of Free Trade Unions [1949]ICFTU [1949] PSIPSI EIEI UNIUNI IFJIFJ ITFITF ICEMICEM IUFIUF IFBWWIFBWW ITGLWFITGLWF IMFIMF ETUC[1973]ETUC[1973] OECD- TUAC

ILO: Goals, Principles, Structure & Functions

Fundamental Goal of ILO Standard Setting Technical Co-operation Better Working Conditions Meetings - Information - Research - Expertise SOCIAL JUSTICE TripartiteSystemTripartiteSystem PREAMBLE “Universal and lasting peace can be established only if it is based upon social justice”

Tripartism: Fundamental Principle of the ILO “Tripartism” is : –A form of social dialogue among the government, workers and employers as representative, equal and independent social partners. To seek mutually agreeable solutions for issues of common concerns.

4 delegates per Member State International Labour Conference Governing Body International Labour Office 1 Workers’ Delegate 1 Employers’ Delegate 2 Governments’ Delegates 14 Workers’ Representatives 14 Employers’ Representatives 28 Governments’ Representatives ILO STRUCTURE

Major Functions of ILO  Standard Setting - Adoption of Conventions & Recommendations in the ILC;  Assistance in Applications of ILS at national level after ratification by the countries;  Technical Cooperation – Advisory functions, Action Programs/Projects, Training of Social Partners;  Advocacy for promotion of Decent Work

ILS : Core Labour Standards  Freedom of Association (C87) & Right to Collective Bargaining (C98)  Freedom from Discrimination (C100 & C111)  Freedom from Forced Labour (C29 & C105)  Minimum Age for Employment (C138 & C182)

Role of Bureau for Workers' Activities (ACTRAV)

What does ACTRAV do?  Main link between ILO and the Trade Unions;  Develops activities to strengthen TUs and Workers Rights at the international, regional and national levels;  Disseminates policies and programmes of the ILO to trade unions;

What does ACTRAV do?  Reflects interests of trade unions in the programmes and actions of the ILO;  Supports workers’ Group in ILO’s decision making bodies and other activities;  Promotes Decent Work and the ratification and implementation of ILO Conventions

Structure of ACTRAV Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ILO/ACTRAV-Geneva) Asia/Pacific Desk ILO/ACTRAV-Turin (International Training Center of the ILO) Asia/Pacific Field Specialists (RO, SRO and AO) Bangkok, New Delhi, Manila Overall policy/strategy making Liaison with other units Support for Workers’ Group Reflection of workers’ interests Implementation of training programmes Direct contact with unions Implementation of ACTRAV policies and strategies in each country Dissemination of information

Issues for Discussion

Current Issues Before ACTRAV-ILO Major Difficulty in protecting the rights and economic well-being of its members” Free Trade Revolution in IT & Transport Privatization Free Capital Flow Global Competition Flexible Labour Policy Globalization Multi-National Enterprises Attack on unionism Weakening Organizing & Bargaining Power of Unions

Way Forward Way Forward Trade unions must strengthen their organizing and bargaining power. HOW? Challenge 1: Creating an “Enabling Environment” for Trade Union Activities Challenge 2: Building Capacity of Unions in Organizing and Collective Bargaining

Thank you for your attention! Programme for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV) ITC-ILO