Context: Recently, India has assumed the Chairmanship of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization for the period October 2020- June 2021.

• India assumed this position after 35 years.

Key Points

• Shri Apurva Chandra, Secretary (Labour and Employment) has been elected as the Chairperson of the Governing Body of the ILO for the period October 2020 to June 2021.
• The Chairperson of the Governing Body of ILO is a position of international repute.

The Governing Body (GB) is the apex executive body of the ILO which decides policies, programmes, agenda, budget and elects the Director-General. At present, ILO has 187 members.

• GB meets thrice a year, in March, June and November. It takes decisions on ILO policy, decides the agenda of the International Labour Conference, adopts the draft programme and budget of the organisation for submission to the conference, and elects the Director-General.
• The broad policies of the ILO are set by the International Labour Conference, which meets once a year in June, in Geneva, Switzerland.

Importance of this chair for India
Expected Benefits to India

• Help appraise participants of the transformational initiatives taken by the Government in removing the rigidities of the labour market.
• Highlight efforts towards universalization of social security to all workers whether in the organised or unorganised sector.
• The four codes on wages, industrial relations, social security and occupational safety, health and working conditions are expected to improve ease of doing business and safeguard the interest of workers.

About ILO

• International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN).
• Dedicated to improving labour conditions and living standards throughout the world.
• Formed in 1919 by the Treaty of Versailles as an affiliated agency of the League of Nations. In 1946 became the first affiliated specialized agency of the United Nations.
• At present, ILO has 187 members.
• Also, trade unions, workers etc. send delegations to ILO.
• National representatives meet annually at the International Labour Conference.
• ILO`s is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Aim: Bring together governments, employers and workers to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes. 

The functions of the ILO are:

• The development and promotion of standards for national legislation to protect and improve working conditions and standards of living.
• Provide technical assistance in social policy and administration and workforce training.
• Fosters cooperative organizations and rural industries.
• Compiles labour statistics and conducts research on the social problems of international competition, unemployment and underemployment, labour and industrial relations, and technological change (including automation).
• Protect the rights of international migrants and organized labour.

Three main bodies of ILO

• International Labour Conference sets the International labour standards and the broad policies of the ILO. It meets annually in Geneva. Often called an international parliament of labour.
• The Governing body is the executive council of the ILO. It meets three times a year in Geneva. It takes decisions on ILO policy and establishes the programme and the budget, which it then submits to the Conference for adoption.
• International Labour Office is the permanent secretariat of the International Labour Organization.

Additional Information

• The ILO was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1969.
• Publishes the International Labour Review and the Yearbook of Labour Statistics.

India has ratified six out of the eight-core/fundamental ILO conventions. These conventions are:

• Forced Labour Convention (No. 29)
• Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (No.105)
• Equal Remuneration Convention (No.100)
• Discrimination (Employment Occupation) Convention (No.111)
• Minimum Age Convention (No.138)
• Worst forms of Child Labour Convention (No.182)

India has not ratified the two core/fundamental conventions, namely Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) and Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98).