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They strongly welcomed the ILC’s conclusion, in response to union pressure, that the International Labour Organization (ILO) arrange a tripartite meeting to identify what needs to be done to promote decent work in global supply chains. Unions hope this will lead to the creation of new ILO standard to protect people working anywhere in supply chains.
The ITF raised key transport issues in the supply chain debate, including European social dumping in the trucking sector, the lack of an aviation ILO standard, and fisheries and the food supply chain.
The ITF also:
• Helped to win ILC approval for amendments to the convention on seafarers’ identity documents, and the official adoption of two amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention Code, including on the elimination of shipboard harassment and bullying.
• Successfully intervened in a number of cases in the Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS), including persuading the Madagascar government to ratify ILO convention 188 on Work in Fishing.
• Welcomed the resolution calling for concrete action to achieve the full potential of the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization, 2008, through its actions in the framework of the UN’s 2030 Agenda and integrating decent work into national sustainable development strategies.
ITF general secretary Steve Cotton said: “We could finally see protection for workers in global supply chains, wherever they are based, by ensuring accountability and governance, particularly from the lead firm in the chain. We’ve done it before for seafarers, with the ground-breaking ILO Maritime Labour Convention 2006.
“The ILO and ILC are vital for bringing together unions, governments and employers and decisions taken during the last fortnight will have far-reaching, positive impacts on the lives of millions. We’re proud of our part in achieving them.”
Read more about the union reaction to the global supply chain breakthrough.
Learn more about the ITF’s concepts to drive governance and accountability in global supply chains.
Read the ILO’s report of the ILC.
Get the full 2016 CAS report.