Received from: NUJ
Congress notes that 2019 marks the centenary of the foundation of the
International Labour Organization (ILO) and believes its founding principle that
universal, lasting peace can be established only if it is based on social justice is as relevant today as it was 100 years ago.
In celebrating the centenary of an organisation born from a desire for global peace in the aftermath of World War One, we note with alarm the growing threat to social justice from the rise of extreme right parties and those who seek to undermine human rights, including the rights of all workers.
Congress welcomes the adoption of landmark instruments on violence and
harassment and a declaration on the future of work at the 2019 session of the ILO.
Congress notes that currently the ILO can only make determinations in respect of governments. This severely limits the ability of the ILO to promote social justice, especially social protection, wages, secure work and gender equality.
Congress calls on the General Council to work with the ITUC and affiliates to:
i. campaign for reforms to allow the ILO to make determination in respect of
employers, not just governments
ii. fully utilise the ILO in the fight for gender equality and ending workplace
discrimination
iii. campaign for inclusion of health and safety standards in the list of labour rights
iv. campaign for ILO action on its Global Dialogue Forum 2014, with particular
reference to the abuse of unpaid workers and interns in the media industry.
National Union of Journalists