ILO Governing Body, 352^nd session

28 October – 7 November 2024

Follow-up to the resolution concerning the third recurrent discussion on fundamental principles and rights at work

GB.352/INS/3/1

EU Statement

Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The candidate countries Türkiye, North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Serbia*, Albania*, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina*, the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.

1. We thank the Office for the plan of actions following up on the resolution concerning the third recurrent discussion on fundamental principles and rights at work, adopted at the 112th International Labour Conference.
2. Since the adoption of the previous strategy on fundamental rights and principles at work in 2017, the world of work has faced a series of major challenges, placing the fundamentals at heightened risk and at the same time renewing their importance. Yet, recent developments are also providing initial momentum to accelerate advances in realising the fundamentals.
3. The resolution highlights the need to take further actions through the concrete implementation of the fundamental principles and rights at work, especially in the face of emerging challenges in the world of work. We strongly support a crosscutting approach to the five thematic priorities identified in the resolution.
4. We welcome the effort to ensure coherence with the programme and budget of the ILO, as well as with other strategic documents.
5. We note that the paper suggests that the five means of action are meant to promote the fundamentals and address gaps in their implementation, taking into account the five thematic priorities, however we are concerned both by the lack of specific references to each of the five thematic priorities in the text and to a lack of balance in the proposed actions listed in the annex. Most of the proposed actions are relevant for the thematic priorities on informal economies with due attention to rural areas, and on enterprises and supply chains, however there are very few actions proposed as regards crisis situations, just transition and the digital economy.
6. Furthermore, we regret that there is no explicit mention of the need to examine the nature, causes, and consequences of the fundamental principal and rights at work deficits, which was the core concern driving the discussion in June 2024. This gap risks overlooking critical insights necessary for addressing these deficits effectively. Thus, we urge the Office to conduct further research and analysis to better identify these deficits and develop effective solutions to address them.
7. We appreciate that further support will be offered to governments in advancing towards the universal ratification of the fundamental Conventions, especially with regard to the least ratified Conventions and the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930.
8. We warmly welcome that increased attention will be paid to ensuring coherence of ILO actions, including technical assistance, and the comments of the ILO’s supervisory bodies. In this regard, we appreciate the Office’s effort to support ILO constituents with made-to-measure technical assistance and capacity-building on all five fundamental principles and rights at work.
9. We support the ILO’s effort to accelerate action for the realization of fundamental principles and rights at work and to enhance policy coherence across the multilateral system, including through the promotion of the use of terminology and concepts that are fully aligned with international labour standards, especially in the context of the World Social Summit in 2025.
10. We acknowledge that the proposed plan of action requires adequate resources and welcome that an Office-wide strategy to mobilize earmarked resources will be implemented with the aim of expanding development cooperation on all fundamental principles and rights at work.  The coordination and monitoring of the plan of actions by an interdisciplinary office team will remain equally relevant, valuing the ITC-ILO collaboration.
11. With the above, we can support the joint social partners’ amendment submitted by the Employers.
12. Thank you, Chair.

*[North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.]