Explanation:

The core labour standards are a set of four fundamental, universal and indivisible human rights:

• Freedom from forced labour

• Freedom from child labour

• Freedom from discrimination  at work

• Freedom to form and join a union, and to bargain collectively.

The standards in detail - The core labour standards are set out in eight fundamental International Labour Organisation human rights conventions. The standards are among the most widely ratifi ed ILO conventions – 124 of the ILO’s 178 member States, including the UK, have ratified all eight. The principles of the freedom of association conventions have been binding on all ILO member States since 1948, regardless of ratifi cation. With the 1998 ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, this universal obligation now covers the principles of all eight conventions.

1. Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining is enshrined in Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise (1948) and Convention 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining (1949).
2. Freedom from forced labour is enshrined in Convention 29 on Forced Labour (1930) and Convention 105 on the Abolition of Forced Labour (1957).
3. Freedom from child labour is enshrined in Convention 138 on Minimum Age for Entry into Employment (1973) and Convention 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour (1999).
4. Freedom from discrimination at work is enshrined in Convention 100 on Equal Remuneration (1951) and Convention 111 on Discrimination in Employment and Occupation (1958).
5. The 1998 Declaration recognises that economic growth alone is not enough to ensure equity, social progress and to eradicate poverty. It makes clear that these universal rights apply to all people in all states – regardless of the level of economic development. As an ILO constitutional instrument, its principles are binding on all member states whether or not they have ratified the conventions.

The standards in question are also regarded as human rights by all other parts of the United Nations system and are incorporated into other international law.

The ILO and what the conventions mean The tripartite International Labour Organisation is a UN specialised agency that brings together representatives of governments, trade unions and employers’ organisations. 

It promotes social justice and internationally recognised human

and labour rights by;

• setting and supervising the application of conventions and  recommendations (international labour standards)

• promoting ‘decent work’ – work in dignity, safety and freedom; and giving technical support to governments, trade unions and employers.

ILO conventions are labour standards drawn up with a view to them becoming part of national law. Once conventions have been adopted by the ILO Conference it is then up to  member states to ratify them. A convention must be ratifi ed by a certain number of countries before it comes into force. Ratifi cation is voluntary, but binds the country concerned to implement the convention in national law and practice. These four rights are enshrined in eight International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions. They are the minimum ‘enabling rights’ people need to defend and improve their rights and conditions at work, to work in freedom and dignity, and to develop in life. Implementing these rights internationally will ensure that globalisation benefits the majority, rather than the rich few.