ILO & International Labour — Set 10

Correct Answer: B. Workers and employers have the right to form and join organisations of their choice

The ILO's principle of freedom of association means that both workers and employers have the right to form and join organisations of their own choosing without prior authorisation. This right is considered a fundamental human right and is enshrined in ILO Conventions No. 87 (Freedom of Association) and No. 98 (Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining). Freedom of association is one of the four fundamental principles declared in the ILO's 1998 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. The principle enables workers to collectively represent their interests and negotiate with employers on an equal footing.

Correct Answer: B. All work or service exacted under threat of penalty without voluntary consent

Under ILO Convention No. 29, forced or compulsory labour is defined as all work or service that is exacted from any person under the menace (threat) of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily. The ILO identifies 11 indicators of forced labour including physical and sexual violence, restriction of movement, debt bondage, withholding of wages, and retention of identity documents. The definition covers modern forms of forced labour such as human trafficking, debt bondage, and slavery-like practices. Understanding this definition is important for designing effective laws and policies to combat forced labour.

Correct Answer: C. Annually

The World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO) Trends report is published annually by the ILO. It provides global and regional projections for employment and unemployment, analysis of labour market trends, and assessment of decent work deficits. The WESO Trends report is one of the ILO's key flagship publications and provides a comprehensive overview of the state of the global labour market. Special editions or thematic reports are sometimes published alongside the annual Trends report to address specific issues in greater depth.

Correct Answer: A. Employment promotion and social security

The ILO's 'Promote Jobs, Protect People' initiative encapsulates the twin goals of the ILO's Decent Work Agenda: promoting employment opportunities and extending social protection to all workers. This reflects the ILO's recognition that employment creation and social security are complementary rather than competing objectives. The initiative supports countries in developing labour market policies, employment services, skills development programmes, and social protection systems that work together to create decent work. It is consistent with the ILO's integrated approach to labour policy that covers all four pillars of Decent Work.

Correct Answer: B. Part-time work, temporary contracts, dependent self-employment, and multi-party employment relationships

The ILO uses the term 'non-standard forms of employment' (NSFE) to refer to employment arrangements that differ from standard employment, including part-time work, temporary contracts, multi-party employment relationships (such as temporary agency work), and dependent self-employment (disguised employment). These forms of employment have been growing globally and often provide fewer worker protections and benefits than standard employment. The ILO's research on non-standard forms of employment analyses their growth, implications for workers' rights, and policy responses. Regulation of NSFE is important for ensuring that all workers have access to decent work.

Correct Answer: B. Violence and Harassment in the World of Work

ILO Convention No. 190 (C190), the Violence and Harassment Convention, was adopted in 2019 and is the first international treaty to specifically address violence and harassment in the world of work. It recognises that everyone has the right to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment. The convention covers all workers, regardless of their contractual status, and requires member states to adopt laws and policies to prevent and address workplace violence and harassment. C190 was accompanied by Recommendation No. 206 providing detailed guidance on its implementation.

Correct Answer: B. Domestic Workers

ILO Convention No. 189 (C189), the Domestic Workers Convention, was adopted in 2011 and was a landmark achievement for the millions of domestic workers worldwide, who had historically been excluded from labour protections. The convention establishes basic labour standards for domestic workers, including working hours, rest periods, minimum wage, social security, and protection from abuse, harassment, and violence. Domestic workers are among the most vulnerable groups of workers, often working in private homes without legal protections. The convention recognised domestic work as 'real work' deserving the same protections as other forms of employment.

Correct Answer: B. April 28

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed on April 28 each year to promote safe, healthy, and decent work. The ILO uses this day to focus attention on how to prevent occupational accidents and diseases. April 28 also coincides with the Workers' Memorial Day, observed by trade unions worldwide to honour workers killed, disabled, or injured at work. The ILO chooses a specific theme each year to highlight emerging or persistent occupational safety and health challenges. The day aims to raise awareness and stimulate action on occupational safety and health at all levels.

Correct Answer: B. Information on international labour standards, ratifications, and supervisory body comments

NORMLEX is the ILO's information system on international labour standards, combining and expanding on the previous ILOLEX and NATLEX databases. It contains information on all ILO conventions and recommendations, their ratification status by member states, and comments made by supervisory bodies. NORMLEX is a comprehensive reference tool for anyone working on international labour standards and their implementation in national law and practice. It allows users to track which countries have ratified which conventions and what compliance issues have been identified by ILO supervisory bodies.

Correct Answer: B. All types of negotiation, consultation, and information sharing between governments, employers, and workers

Social dialogue in ILO terminology refers to all types of negotiation, consultation, and simply the exchange of information between representatives of governments, employers, and workers on issues of common interest relating to economic and social policy. Social dialogue can occur at the enterprise, sectoral, or national level. It includes collective bargaining, tripartite consultation, and bipartite dialogue. The ILO promotes social dialogue as one of the four pillars of the Decent Work Agenda, recognising it as an effective means of promoting good governance and social cohesion. Countries with strong social dialogue tend to have better labour market outcomes and higher levels of social protection.