5.11 Geneva – International Labour

5.11 Geneva – International Labour Organisation

In recognition of Ireland’s expanding interests arising from intensified collaboration on socio-economic (labour) policy at the EU and multilateral level, and Ireland’s full membership of the ILO’s Governing Body over the period 2017-2020, the DETE staff based in the PMUN in Geneva play a central role in monitoring and participating in negotiations and policy formation at the ILO. This entails attending, and participating in, ILO meetings and seminars including the Governing Body (meetings span two weeks) and the annual International Labour Conference (two weeks in June) all of which take place in Geneva. Ireland is currently Chair of the Western Europe Group (WEG) in the ILO.

The ILO, founded in 1919, aims to promote decent work. It does this by creating international labour standards (conventions), greater opportunities for people to secure decent employment, enhancing the coverage of social protection for all and strengthening tripartism and social dialogue. 187 of the 193 UN countries are members of the ILO. The ILO’s tripartite structure, in which Governments, Workers and Employers have an equal voice, is unique in the UN system.

The WEG provides a platform for Governments to efficiently and effectively coordinate engagement with the ILO in respect of preparation for meetings of the Governing Body and the International Labour Conference. The DETE officials also monitor, coordinate and contribute to national and EU developments of relevance on the ILO agenda, focusing in particular on sectoral meetings and cross-cutting trade/labour discussions that span the multilateral system.

Figure from page 49