The International Labour Organisation

(ILO) Conventions

The International Labour Organisation, set up in 1919 is the United Nations specialised agency on labour.

It provides the means to bring employers, workers, trade unions and governments together to develop labour conventions.

The rights of workers are basic human rights, contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the rights of Women in particular are taken up in the convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

What is a Convention under the ILO?

Conventions are international treaties which set standards for all aspects of work/implementation.

179 Conventions have been adopted by the ILO; most apply equally to men and women. A number have been adopted especially for women.

When countries agree, they "ratify" and they must make regular reports on how they are implementing and applying the Convention.

Those who have not ratified a Convention may be called upon to explain why.

Recommendations are supplement points made in a Convention and provide guidelines for national policy and action (not binding).

Countries are called upon to report on relevant law, practice and what is preventing or delaying ratification.

How can the Conventions help Women?

Legitimises women's appeals and recognises the valuable role women take in society and the global economy;

Provides the wording and guidelines for Women and Organisations, as Conventions focus on specific issues;

The monitoring process that examines the implementation of Conventions are a source of information which provide a basis by which trade unions can exert pressure on the governments.

Conventions provide guidelines to legislators and a stimulus for action on working conditions, industrial relations and the protection and promotion of basic human rights, which include equality of opportunity and treatment of women.

* Freedom of Association/Right of Workers

ILO Convention No. 87

Provides that "workers and employers, without distinction whatsoever (despite occupation, sec, colour, race, creed, nationality or political opinion), shall have the right to establish and … join organisations of their own choosing…"

Equal Remuneration for Men and Women Workers for Work of Equal Value

Convention No. 100

This principle may be applied by means of:

  • National laws or regulations;
  • Legally established or recognised machinery for wage determination;
  • Collective Agreements between employers and workers; or
  • A combination of various means.

Discrimination in Employment and Occupation

(ILO Convention No. 111)

Adopted in 1958, to deal with the overall problem of discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin.

Discrimination is defined as:-

"any distinction, exclusion or preference made on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction, or social origin, which has the effect of nullifying or impairing equality of opportunity or treatment in employment or occupation."

Specifies that all persons should enjoy equality of opportunity and treatment in respect of:

  • Access to vocational guidance and placement services;
  • Access to training and employment;
  • Advancement in employment;
  • Security of tenure;
  • Remuneration;
  • Hours and conditions of work, as well as social security measures and welfare facilities.

* Occupational Safety and Health and the Working Environment 1981

(ILO Convention No. 155)

Countries that ratify this Convention agree to draw up a coherent national policy on occupational health and safety.

This is the most important Convention on health and safety for trade unions. There are obligations and responsibilities for employers to provide a safe work place and the Convention calls on workers and union representatives to co-operate on health and safety matters.

Information about the employer's health and safety measures is to be provided and workers are allowed to consult with the Union. There should be arrangements for training on health and safety.

Workers and representatives can look into the health and safety aspects of their work and call on technical advisors as needed, by mutual consent with the employer.

If a worker feels they are in imminent and serious danger in their work, they can report this and refuse to return to work until remedial action is taken by the employer.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Each year the ILO publishes a list of Conventions and the countries which have ratified them.

Do you know which Conventions have been ratified in your country?

Contact Address and further reading:

International Labour Organisation

Equality and Human Rights Co-ordination Branch

(Egalite)

4, route des Morillons

1211 Geneva 22

Switzerland

Tel: ++41 22 7996111

Fax: ++411 22 7986358

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR STANDARDS WITH RELEVANCE TO WOMEN WORKERS

(Basic Human Rights)

Equal Opportunities and Treatment

  • Convention No. 100: Equal Remuneration, 1951
  • Recommendation No. 90: Equal Remuneration, 1951
  • Convention No. 111: Discrimination (Employment and Occupation), 1958
  • Recommendation No. 111: Discrimination (Employment and Occupation), 1958
  • Convention No. 156: Workers with Family Responsibilities, 1981
  • Recommendation No. 165: Workers with Family Responsibilities, 1981

* Freedom of Association and Right to Organise

  • Convention No. 87: Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, 1948
  • Convention No. 98: Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining, 1949
  • Convention No. 141: Rural Workers' Organisations, 1975
  • Recommendation No. 149: Rural Workers' Organisations, 1975

Employment

  • Convention No. 122: Employment Policy, 1964
  • Recommendation No. 122: Employment Policy, 1964
  • Recommendation No. 169: Employment Policy (supplementary provisions), 1984
  • Convention No. 142: Human Resources Development, 1975
  • Recommendation No. 150: Human Resources Development, 1975
  • Convention No. 158: Termination of Employment, 1982

Social Policy

  • Convention No. 117: Social Policy (Basic Aims and Standards), 1962

* Maternity Protection

  • Convention No. 3: Maternity Protection, 1919
  • Convention No. 103: Maternity Protection (revised), 1952
  • Recommendation No. 95: Maternity Protection, 1952
  • Convention No. 110: Plantations, 1958 and Protocol 1982
  • Recommendation No. 12: Maternity Protection (Agriculture), 1921

* Occupational Health and Safety

  • Recommendation No. 4: Lead Poisoning (Women and Children), 1919
  • Convention No. 12: White Lead (Painting) 1921
  • Recommendation NO. 114: Radiation Protection, 1960
  • Convention No. 127: Maximum Weight, 1967
  • Recommendation No. 128: Maximum Weight, 1967
  • Convention No. 136: Benzene, 1971
  • Recommendation No. 144: Benzene, 1971
  • Convention No. 170: Chemicals, 1990
  • Recommendation No. 177: Chemicals, 1990

Night Work

  • Recommendation No. 13: Night Work of Women (Agriculture), 1921
  • Convention NO. 89: Night Work for (Women)(Revised), 1948; and Protocol, 1990
  • Convention No. 171: Night Work, 1990
  • Recommendation No. 178: Night Work, 1990

Conditions of Work

  • Convention No. 45: Underground Work (Women), 1935
  • Recommendation No. 102: Welfare Facilities, 1956
  • Recommendation No. 116: Reduction of Hours of Work, 1962
  • Convention No. 140: Paid Educational Leave, 1974

Other Special Categories of Workers

  • Convention No. 159: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) 1983
  • Recommendation No. 168: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons), 1983
  • Convention No. 169: Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, 1989

Other Conventions of Special Importance for Women Workers

  • Convention No. 4: Night Work (Women), 1919
  • Convention No. 81: Labour Inspection , 1947
  • Convention No. 95: Protection of Wages
  • Convention No. 102: Social Security (Minimum Standards), 1952
  • Convention No. 118: Equality of Treatment (Social Security), 1962
  • Convention No. 129: Labour Inspection (Agriculture), 1969
  • Convention No. 138: Minimum Age, 1973
  • Convention No. 149: Nursing Personnel, 1977
  • Convention No. 157: Maintenance of Social Security Rights, 1982
  • Convention No. 168: Employment Promotion and Protection Against Unemployment, 1988
  • Convention No. 175: Convention Concerning Part-time Work, 1994
  • Convention NO. 176: Convention Concerning Home Work, 1996

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ZAMBIA UNION OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND ALLIED WORKERS

WORKERS EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

1st Floor, Luangwa House, Cairo Road

P O Box 31174

LUSAKA

phone: 222105, fax: 231364 e-mail:

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