ILO Governing Body, 356th session - EU Statement - Update concerning the Commission of Inquiry established to examine the non-observance by Nicaragua of Conventions Nos 87, 98, 111 and 144

European Union Statement

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ILO Governing Body, 356^th session 

23 March – 2 April 2026

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Update concerning the Commission of Inquiry established to examine the non-observance by Nicaragua of Conventions Nos 87, 98, 111 and 144 

GB.356/INS/17

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Geneva, 31 March 2026

Chair,

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

The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and Georgia, the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Switzerland and the United Kingdom align themselves with this statement.

We recall the decisions of the Governing Body at its 353^rd and 354^th Sessions to establish the Commission of Inquiry to consider the allegations set out in the complaint concerning non-observance of Conventions Nos 87, 98, 111 and 144 and to appoint its members.

We regret that the accumulated arrears and shortfall in contributions have forced the Office to adopt cost-containment measures which impact vital and essential functions of the ILO, including its supervisory system.

We therefore urge once again all Member States to pay their arrears and assessed contributions in full and on time.

We thank the Office for a revised decreased budget for the Commission of Inquiry and trust that it will ensure the necessary conditions for the proper performance of its mandate.

We would like to insist on the need to inquire on and to document the reported violations of labour standards and to start the work without delay. The more time we wait, the less justice we provide to the victims.

The draft decision point however does not provide sufficient assurances that the Commission of Inquiry will start its work. We therefore support the amendment tabled by Employers to ensure the work will start without any further delay.

Let us recall our regret about the notice from the authorities of Nicaragua issued in February 2025 of their intention of withdrawing from the Organisation. We would like to reiterate our call on Nicaragua to reconsider it. We would also like to remind that, irrespective of its membership status in the ILO, Nicaragua remains bound by all obligations arising from the Conventions it has voluntarily ratified.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and support the people of Nicaragua in their legitimate aspirations, including on labour rights. We remain open to a genuine dialogue on these and other topics of interest.

Thank you, Chair.

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