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EU Statement - ILO 355th GB - Report of the Tripartite Technical Meeting on Access to Labour Justice for All

27.11.2025
Geneva
Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in Geneva

ILO Governing Body, 355th session 

17 – 27 November 2025

Report of the Tripartite Technical Meeting on Access to Labour Justice for All

GB.355/INS/16/1

EU Statement

 

Chair,

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

The candidate countries Türkiye, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania1, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and Georgia, and the EFTA country Norway, align themselves with this statement.

  1. We thank all participants of the Tripartite Technical Meeting on Access to Labour Justice for All for their valuable contributions and the comprehensive conclusions presented to the Governing Body. We also extend our appreciation to the Chair and Vice-Chairs for their thoughtful leadership throughout the meeting.
  2. The EU and its Member States would like to thank the Office for its thorough preparation and the support provided to tripartite constituents, which enabled meaningful and inclusive discussions.
  3. We fully support the conclusions of the technical meeting, which are underpinned by the active involvement of the Social Partners. They recognised that advancing access to labour justice supports is crucial for realising labour rights and the effective implementation of international labour standards as mandated by the ILO Constitution. They offer clear guidance on strengthening labour dispute prevention and resolution systems, promoting fairness, accessibility, access to labour justice globally, and respect for fundamental rights in the world of work.
  4. We welcome the recognition that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to labour justice. National systems vary, and the conclusions rightly emphasize the importance of tailoring solutions to local contexts while upholding shared principles. We recognise the important role of Governments in creating, enforcing, and putting into action national laws and regulations.
  5. We appreciate the emphasis on protecting vulnerable workers, including those in the informal economy, and promoting gender equality and non-discrimination.
  6. Furthermore, and in accordance with the recent Recommendation of the Council of the EU on strengthening social dialogue in the EU, we welcome the attention that is paid in the conclusions to freedom of association, social dialogue, collective bargaining and workplace cooperation, as means for preventing disputes from escalating. In this regard, promoting mechanisms to resolve labour disputes and foster trust in and between social partners is a priority for the EU.
  7. We fully endorse the recommendation for continued ILO support through capacity-building, technical assistance, and evidence-based research, and we welcome the promotion of best practices and regional cooperation.   The recent mutual learning event organised by the European Commission with the participation of representatives of public authorities involved in conciliation and mediation, to which the ILO directly contributed, attests to these efforts.
  8. We thus strongly support these conclusions as a necessary step toward inclusive and effective labour justice systems. We welcome the proposed follow-up actions and encourage their dissemination across the ILO, its constituents, and through broader partnerships, including the Global Coalition for Social Justice.
  9. We support the draft decision as presented and look forward to the Office’s guidance on future activities in this area.

Thank you, Chair.

 

1North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process