I. The International Labour Organization 1. Historical background he ILO was created as a consequence of the industrial revolution. During this period of economic expansion, working conditions were harsh and often inhumane, and workers laboured under conditions amounting to exploitation, with no social or economic security. From this time there were calls for greater protection for workers. In the aftermath of the First World War, these calls gathered momentum and trade unions stressed the need for social protection, and an international institution specializing in labour issues.3 In April 1919, during the peace negotiations in Paris, a Labour Commission was established to look into this question and, as a result, an international organization devoted solely to labour questions was created.4 In October the same year, the 1st International Labour Conference was held in Washington D.C. Six Conventions were adopted at this Conference, including one defining the eight-hour working day, which has become the accepted norm in industrialized countries. Between the two World Wars (1919–39), the ILO functioned as an autonomous organization within the family of the League of Nations, the precursor to the UN. During this time it focused on maternity protection, social security, unemployment, working hours, and working conditions of women and young people. It was based in Geneva, Switzerland, but temporarily shifted its headquarters to Montreal, Canada, during the Second World War for security reasons. When the UN was created in 1946, the ILO was the first specialized agency to join the UN system, with special responsibility for social and labour issues. As of November 2001, the ILO has 175 member states. T 2. Fundamental principles he ILO strives to be an evolving and dynamic institution. It reviews its core principles to take current developments and trends into account, and to see how best to make its work relevant and valid. T • • • • • • Abolition of child labour; Adequate wages; Equality of treatment; Equal pay; Inspection systems; Labour should not be seen merely as a commodity or an article of commerce; • Reasonable working hours; • Right of association. These principles remain high on the ILO’s agenda and serve to guide its work in all fields. Another key principle of the ILO is the premise that: Universal and lasting peace can be achieved only if it is based on social justice. This forms the pillar of the ILO’s work to this day, and is the basis for its work on equality and non-discrimination, and for poverty alleviation. In 1969, on its 50th anniversary, the ILO was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Today, it has more than 40 offices throughout the world, and employs more than 2,500 staff. 2.2 Declaration of Philadelphia (1944) During its annual conference in 1944, held in Philadelphia, United States of America (USA), the ILO adopted a key Declaration (statement of values), which expanded on the Charter of 1919. This Declaration reaffirms the fundamental principles on which the ILO is based and contains four linked principles: • Freedom of expression and of association are essential to sustained progress; • Labour is not a commodity; • Poverty anywhere constitutes a danger to prosperity anywhere; • All human beings, irrespective of race, creed or sex, have the right to pursue both their material well-being and their spiritual development in conditions of freedom and dignity, of economic security and equal opportunity. The Declaration was annexed to the Constitution in 1946 and forms an integral part of the ILO’s work. 2.1 ILO Constitution (1919) 2.3 The principle of tripartism The founding documents of the ILO included a Charter elaborated during the Peace Treaty of Versailles based on the following principles: 4 The ILO is the only international organization which operates on a ‘tripartite’ basis. Since its inception, workers’ and THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION: A HANDBOOK FOR MINORITIES AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES