112th ILC - Recurrent discussion on fundamental principles and rights at work - Opening and Discussion Point 1 - EU Statement

International Labour Conference

112^th session (3^rd June – 14^th June 2024)

Recurrent discussion on fundamental principles and rights at work

Opening and Discussion Point 1

DP1: Since the last recurrent discussion in 2017, what have been the most important developments and how have these impacted the respect, promotion and realization of fundamental principles and rights at work?

Geneva, 3 June 2024

EU Statement

I speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The candidate countries, North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Serbia*, Albania*, Ukraine and Georgia, the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.

1. I would like to congratulate you on your election as Chairperson of this Committee. Our congratulations also go to the vice-chairs. We thank the Office for its comprehensive report, however we regret that a revised version of it, concretely in paragraph 96, was uploaded without transparent communication to the constituents.
2. Since 2017, the world of work has faced major challenges. We note with concern that these have contributed to stalled progress – and in some cases regression – in advancing fundamental principles and rights at work. Yet, recent developments also provide momentum to accelerate advances.
3. We welcome the inclusion of the right to a safe and healthy working environment in the framework for fundamental principles and rights at work in 2022. We now have a strong set of interconnected principles and rights that should be dealt with in a holistic manner.
4. They were and are faced with unprecedented challenges, namely COVID-19 crisis, economic and political crises, placing them at heightened risk and at the same time reaffirming their importance. We are particularly concerned about the impact caused by armed conflicts, the deterioration in the rule of law and democratic space, as well as threats to fundamental rights and freedoms.
5. Climate change significantly impacts the world of work and entails an increased risk for child labour and child trafficking. It is urgent to reverse it and to mitigate its effects, such as through waste management and recycling, while adequately protecting workers’ health in this sector.
6. Digitalisation and the development of Artificial Intelligence introduce possibilities for improved productivity working conditions, but they also bring forth risks for privacy and working conditions transparency. Digital systems can reproduce or even reinforce existing discrimination patterns, dehumanize labour relations and deteriorate psychosocial well-being. There are growing concerns about their impact on working conditions in the global AI value chain and on the effective exercise of freedom of association and collective bargaining.
7. Informality remains a daily reality for a large part of the labour force, particularly in situations where decent job creation cannot keep up with the number of labour market entrants.
8. The increased prevalence of temporary employment, part-time work, remote and on-call work has provided opportunities to some, but also increased precarity and dependence for many.
9. In the same vein, demographic changes and increased labour shortages in some countries can open up the labour markets for groups at the margins, but they can also put pressure on working conditions and can increase the risk of forced labour.

10. Changes in supply chains, such as the “servicification” of manufacturing, have an impact as well, and we therefore recall the importance of the full respect of fundamental rights in the context of global supply chains.
11. These developments, Chair, call for determined action through a horizontal approach, the lack of which, including through enforcement policies, over the past years has clearly impeded tackling deficits. They also call for a just and sustainable transition, in line with the conclusions of last year’s ILC, based on policy coherence across all policy areas and respect for fundamental principles and rights at work, at all levels.
12. Moreover, collective bargaining and the freedom of association need to be reinforced as a gateway fundamental right, which is also essential to effectively tackle emerging complex challenges.
13. In this light, at this committee, we aim to contribute to action-oriented conclusions that will guide and encourage the ILO and its constituents in their efforts to fully, and with the necessary sense of urgency, respect, promote, and realise all the fundamental principles and rights at work, and guarantee their effectiveness.
14. We look forward to working with you all and hope to engage in fruitful discussions over the coming weeks.

Thank you, Chair.

*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.