'Work is more than a job' - ILO

Social dialogue on decent work for fair globalisation:

Samangie WETTIMUNY

The main goal of International Labour Organisation (ILO) is to achieve decent work for all, so that everyone can work in 'conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity'. Throughout its nine decades of history the organization has been actively engaged in promoting social justice and internationally recognised human and labour rights.

Speaking at a recent media workshop 'Social Dialogue on Decent Work for a Fair Globalisation' held in Colombo to mark the 90th anniversary of the ILO its Colombo Director, Tine Staermose said that the ILO's tripartite structure, with workers, employers, and governments acting as equal partners in its governing institutions is unique in the United Nations' system. The concept of social dialogue is also important. "To put it in simple terms it is the way we do business. "ILO is the oldest specialised agency of the United Nations and the only surviving major creation of the 1919 Treaty of Versailles."

The workshop also had the participation of Ms. Sophy Fisher, ILO Regional Information Officer, Mahinda Madihahewa, Secretary, Ministry of Labour Relations and Manpower, Ms. Marlene Rueda, Social Dialogue and Labour Administration Specialist, ILO Sub-Regional Office, New Delhi, Ravi Peiris, Director General of the Employers' Federation of Ceylon, T.M.R. Rasseedin, NATURE General Secretary Andre Bogui, Deputy Director, ILO Sub Regional Office, New Delhi, Ravindra Samithadasa, DWCP Program Officer, ILO, Colombo.

Decent Work is a concept developed by the ILO in 1999. Describing 'work' as one of the very few common experiences we undergo, ILO's Regional Information Officer, Ms. Fisher said that decent work is a crucial element in making globalisation more inclusive and fair. It is also key to progressive and lasting poverty reduction. The concept which sums up aspirations of working people aims at achieving productive work, fair income, security at work, social protection and freedom.

`Decent Work Country Program Sri Lanka 2008-2012' elaborating on DWCP Priority and Outcomes states that 'the Country priority is the poverty reduction and decent work for all, defines the intersection between the country situation in Sri Lanka and the expressed priorities of the constituents. It aims to supplement national poverty reduction strategies through interventions enhancing decent employment opportunities, enhanced management of labour markets and improved social dialogue for mutual corporation and growth. The three main areas of intervention are enhanced access to more and better jobs in economically disadvantaged and crisis affected areas, enhanced labour administration and promotion of equitable employment practices, improved tripartite co-operation on initiatives linking job security, productivity and competitiveness.

Cross cutting themes are: Informal economy, gender equality, promotion of application and ratification of International Labour Standards, Adaptation of the Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS in the work place.

As Fisher noted establishing 'Decent work' is a must to make globalisation fairer, and to make development sustainable. It is also an attempt to let poor workers achieve their rights.

Talking on Social Dialogue and its role promoting Decent Work, Marleen Rueda said that all forms of negotiation, consultation, or simply exchange information among representatives of the government, the employers and the workers on socio-economic issues of common concern.

Mahinda Madihahewa, Secretary, Ministry of Labour Relations noted that out of the 187 conventions adopted by the ILO, Sri Lanka has ratified 40. The forty conventions also include the eight out of eight core conventions relating to basic human rights of workers and three out of four priority conventions.

ILO Decent Work country program was seen by Madihahewa as the vehicle to provide technical assistance to Sri Lanka which is affiliated with other development assistance framework documents.

Falling in line with the ILO's Decent Work agenda , Sri Lanka has formulated the National Policy and the National Plan of Action for Decent Work. The National Policy identifies the weaknesses in the relevant areas of Decent Work and sets out policies designed to overcome them. The National Action Plan has been developed with tripartite participation (workers, employers and governments) to convert policy into action. Sri Lankan government has recognized the decent work policy as the policy for social development.

In Sri Lanka the Decent Work Country Program is aligned with other development assistance frameworks such as the Millennium Development Goals, the United Nations Development Assistance Framework, Sri Lanka National

Plan of Action for Decent Work and the Ten Year Horizon Development Framework.

Madihahewa further said that Sri Lanka has taken measures to modernise labour administration with technical assistance from the ILO. As he noted the new changes will ensure participation, credibility, transparency, and responsibility which are the principal elements in good governance that are a must for efficient labour administration. Objectives of the modernisation program is to prepare the financial, human and other material resources to meet the challenges in the development process.

He was grateful to the service rendered by the ILO over the years through studies, surveys, and various other means on a wide range of issues, relating to the world of work.

ILO's Programme Officer in Sri Lanka, Ravindra Samithadasa said that under its technical espousal programme, youth employment opportunities have been initiated in Kegalle and Ratnapura in collaboration with the Youth Affairs Ministry.