The International Labour Organization (ILO) has announced that the Minister of Labour of Qatar will Chair the upcoming ILO Conference. The decision was made by the Government Group and is expected to be ratified by the delegates at the start of the Conference through consensus.
Rosalind Yarde, Chief of News and Media at the ILO, revealed that the annual International Labour Conference (ILC) will commence on June 5th at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Notably, this will be the first Conference under the leadership of Gilbert Houngbo, who recently assumed the role of Director General.
Traditionally, the Vice President of the Conference is elevated to the position of President. In this case, the Labour Minister of Qatar was unanimously elected last year, leading to their presidential nomination this year. The nomination process follows a rotational basis; this year, it was the ASEAN group’s turn. The Government Group reviewed and agreed to the nomination, asserting that the ILO office did not influence the decision.
The ILC, taking place from June 5th to June 16th, will address many pressing issues, including apprenticeships, social protection, and transitioning to environmentally sustainable economies.
The grand opening ceremony of the ILC is scheduled for Monday at 10 a.m. in room 19 of the Palais des Nations. Plenary sessions will be held in room 20 and can be attended by those possessing UNOG badges, while online access will also be available for remote participants.
During the second week of the Conference, on June 14th and 15th, a two-day World of Work summit will occur, with approximately 18 heads of state anticipated to attend. In addition, a special high-level event commemorating World Day against Child Labour is slated for June 12th.
Responding to inquiries, Ms Yarde stated that the finalisation of the heads of state attending the Conference is still underway and will be confirmed early next week.
Highlighting the diverse agenda of the Conference, Ms Yarde emphasised the ongoing discussions on various topics, including establishing new apprenticeship standards.
The crucial issue of a just transition, ensuring a smooth shift to environmentally sustainable economies, will also be a key focus. Furthermore, implementing workplace occupational safety and health measures will be crucial to the Conference’s agenda.
Ms Yarde underscored the unique tripartite nature of the ILO as an organisation within the UN system, where governments, workers, and employers collaborate to address labour-related issues. She highlighted that when specific member states face complaints, the ILO conducts thorough investigations through a robust supervisory system.
The ILO has been actively examining the future of work, focusing on technology and digitalisation. While this cross-cutting issue is expected to arise during conference discussions, there is no confirmation regarding the Secretary-General’s participation as a speaker at the event.
